Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility Now is not the time to sit on the sidelines; Follow your government in action <

Now is not the time to sit on the sidelines; Follow your government in action

Dear Neighbor, 

 

I hope that you enjoyed your holidays and were able to spend some time surrounded by friends, family, and loved ones. 

 

Since 2019, I have had the honor of representing the 155th Legislative District, and in each year since then we have made progress toward making Pennsylvania a place where people from all walks of life have an opportunity to grow, learn, work, and succeed. 

 

As we head into a new year and the new 2025-2026 legislative session, I know I am not alone in feeling uncertain about what the immediate and longer-term future have in store.  

 

While all eyes have been on Washington, D.C. today as the U.S. House of Representatives prepares to elect a House Speaker, Pennsylvania faces its own indeterminate future, entering the new session with a one-seat Democratic majority in the House, a Democratic governor, a Republican-led Senate, and no shortage of differing opinions about the legislative goals and priorities for the new term.  

 

At the same time, our nation is collectively processing the news of this week’s terroristic attack in New Orleans and explosion in Las Vegas, ongoing international unrest, unexplained drone sightings in multiple states, and last month’s discovery in Virginia of “the largest cache of 'finished explosive devices' in FBI history.” 

 

During these heavy times, it can be really hard to resist the urge to unplug from everything, ignore the news, and check out from civic engagement, but now is not the time to sit on the sidelines. We are at a crucial juncture in our commonwealth and our nation, and there has never been a more important time to be active, informed, and engaged. 

 

To help you follow the action in Harrisburg this year, here are some important upcoming dates and events to watch:  

 

Serving as your voice in Harrisburg and having a seat at the table on behalf of our community is an enormous privilege, and I never lose sight of that fact. While we are living in uncertain times, I am more committed than ever to working for the betterment of our commonwealth and fighting for the interests and priorities of our community. 

 

 

Follow me on social media:

 

As the 2025 legislative session gets underway, my team and I want to make sure you don’t miss important updates from Harrisburg and home.

 

Whichever social media platforms you use, be sure to follow my official accounts to keep up with all the latest news: 

  • Bluesky  (New in 2025; @repdanielle.bsky.social) 
  • Threads  (New in 2025; @rep_otten)   
  • TikTok  (@repdanielle_pahouse)
 

2025 Capitol Scenes Calendar

 

Still writing 2024 on everything? A new calendar can help you with that! Click here to download and print my free 2025 Capitol Scenes Calendar. 

 

If you have questions or would like to provide feedback on any legislative or state-related issue, please contact our district office at repotten@pahouse.net

 

LIHEAP Applications are Available! 

 

The application process for the annual Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is open! 

 

LIHEAP provides help with home heating bills so that Pennsylvanians can stay warm and safe during the winter months. Assistance is available for both renters and homeowners. 

 

For eligibility requirements and information on how to apply visit:?dhs.pa.gov/LIHEAP

 

Pennie Open Enrollment Period 

 

The Pennie Open Enrollment Period (OEP) will run until January 15, 2025. During this period, individuals and families can enroll in health insurance plans, make changes to existing coverage, or renew their current plans. 

 

Even if you are happy with your current health coverage, the plans and prices offered through Pennie change every year. Many Pennie customers qualify for additional savings, helping Pennsylvanians navigate the challenges of rising healthcare costs.  

 

Visit Pennie.com to compare plans and find high-quality, low-cost health coverage that fits your needs and budget. If you recently lost coverage through Medicaid, Pennie may have options to help you stay covered with a quality health plan at low or even no cost to you. 

 

All plans offered through Pennie cover preventative care, mental health services, and more. Learn more at pennie.com or call the Pennie Customer Line at 1-844-8040 for assistance. 

 

SEPTA Senior Key Cards and Card Renewals


If you have a SEPTA Senior Key Card that has expired or will expire within the next month, we can renew it in our district office. To renew your card before it expires, please stop by my district office, or call us to make an appointment.  

 

My office can also process applications and take photos for new SEPTA Senior Key ID Cards, which allow seniors 65 and older to travel for free on all SEPTA Regional Rail and transit routes within Pennsylvania. Just stop by my district office and bring a form of ID with your date of birth on it, such as a PA driver’s license or non-driver ID, U.S. passport, or birth certificate. We’ll enter your information into SEPTA’s online system, take a quick photo, and then SEPTA will mail your new card to you directly.  

 

2-1-1 Southeastern Pennsylvania: Health and Human Services 


211 SEPA is part of the national 211 Call Centers initiative that seeks to provide health and human services for everyday needs and those in crisis situations. 

 

2-1-1 works with county governments and provider agencies to ensure important local program information is easily accessible. 

 

Visit 211sepa.org for more information. 

 

Mental Health Resources: Call 9-8-8 

 

Chester County residents experiencing mental-health-related crisis or distress can dial 9-8-8 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.?This system is designed to be a memorable and quick number that connects people in crisis to a trained mental health professional.

 

Chester County offers additional resources for those in crisis, including Chester County’s warm line, 1-866-846-2722, operated by Certified Peer Specialists, who are individuals in recovery with a lived experience of mental health challenges.

 

Chester County’s Teen Talk Line ensures seamless referral to Mobile Crisis for youth in need of immediate or higher-level support. The call line is 855-852-TEEN (8336), and the text line is 484-362-9515.

 

Visit the?Department of Human Services website for more information about the 988 system and other state and local mental health resources.

 

If you or someone you love is in crisis, please don’t give up hope, and please know that you do not need to walk this path alone. We are here and we will do whatever we can to help. 

 

My staff and I are here to help make state government work better for you! For assistance with the above programs or any other state-related services, please email repotten@pahouse.net, call 484-200-8259, or visit my district office in Exton.

 

Please don’t hesitate to call, email, or contact us through my website and let us know how we can help!

 

Sincerely, 

PA Representative Danielle Otten's signature image

Danielle Friel Otten 
State Representative, 
155th Legislative District 

 

Pennsylvania State Capitol

34 East Wing
Harrisburg, PA 17120

(717) 783-5009

District Office

631 Pottstown Pike
Exton, PA 19341
(484) 200-8259