E-News: Shapiro Files Lawsuit Challenging Federal Funding Freeze

Rep. Danielle Friel Otten February 14, 2025 | 2:47 PM

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Dear Neighbor,

Our beloved Philadelphia Eagles have been such a bright spot these past few weeks. It’s been an exciting time here in southeast PA, first watching our Birds soar to victory in Super Bowl LIX over the two-time defending champion Kansas City Chiefs and now feeling all the brotherly and sisterly love as Philadelphia and the surrounding region come together to celebrate today’s championship parade.

For some, a victory in the Super Bowl is the crowning achievement of a well-played season. But for many diehard Eagles fans, this win was about more than stopping the Chiefs’ historic run. As we continue to process the tumultuous times we are living in and tragic recent events like the plane crashes in Philadelphia and D.C, the Eagles Super Bowl victory has provided a welcome reprieve from the heaviness of the news cycle, just when many of us have needed it most.

Some of my best memories growing up were formed watching the Eagles with my siblings and parents, and it brings me such joy to continue that tradition with my kids. Let’s keep the winning seasons going and start our own dynasty! Go Birds!

Governor Shapiro Files Lawsuit Challenging Federal Funding Freeze

Back to those heavier matters…

My office continues to hear from constituents, nonprofit organizations, and government entities concerned about the Trump administration’s unconstitutional funding freeze and the rapid dismantling of federal agencies and departments by individuals with no accountability to the American people.

Across our commonwealth, the suspension of federal funds has impacted programs and services that support Pennsylvanians’ health, wellness, and safety, as well as our agricultural and economic interests. These are our public tax dollars, legally appropriated by Congress, and their loss directly impacts the state’s ability to provide essential functions to Pennsylvania residents.

On Thursday, Governor Shapiro filed a lawsuit challenging the federal funding freeze and demanding the restoration of more than $2 billion to state agencies that have been unable to access their legally appropriated funds.

The funding in jeopardy includes funds for initiatives like reclaiming abandoned mine land, addressing toxic runoff from abandoned mines, responding to emergency events, capping and plugging orphan wells, lowering utility costs for an estimated 28,000 Pennsylvania households, and more.

It’s important to note that our state agencies are still on the hook for many of the costs associated with these programs, meaning that we are stuck incurring debts and obligations for projects that were federally approved through the legal, constitutional appropriations process. The administration’s refusal to reimburse our agencies for these duly allocated funds could potentially result in cuts in service or increases in taxes for Pennsylvanians.

I wholeheartedly share the concerns of my constituents, and I am grateful to Governor Shapiro for his leadership on this issue and for helping to ensure continuity of service and care across our Commonwealth.

Click here to read more about the governor’s action.

Southeast Delegation Selects 2025-26 Leadership Team

This week, the Pennsylvania House Democrats Southeast Delegation, comprised of 35 House members in the southeast region of the state, selected our leadership team for the 2025-2026 session. I am honored to have been elected Chester County Vice Chair for the delegation, and I look forward to working with this team to ensure the interests and needs of Chester County are prioritized in legislative proposals and budgetary requests.

REAL ID Webinar

Are you looking to get a REAL ID? Not sure what you need to get one? We can help!

With the Real ID deadline approaching on May 7, 2025, my team and I are partnering with Senator Muth, local state representatives, and experts from PennDOT for a REAL ID Webinar on Wednesday, February 19 from 6:30 - 8 PM.

We will help:

Walk you through everything you need to know about obtaining a REAL ID in Pennsylvania

Teach you what documents are required

Explain how having a REAL ID can make travel and access to federal facilities easier

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.

2025 Property Tax/Rent Rebate Application Period NOW OPEN

The 2025 Property Tax/Rent Rebate Application Period is now open and accepting application for rebates on property taxes or rent paid in 2024.

Thanks to changes we made in 2023, more people are eligible, with income limits adjusted to keep pace with Social Security cost-of-living adjustments. The Property Tax/Rent Rebate program has made it easier for seniors in Chester County to stay in their homes and afford groceries, medicine, and so much more.

The Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program benefits eligible Pennsylvanians ages 65 and older, widows and widowers ages 50 and older, and people with disabilities age 18 and older.

Please call or stop by my office to find out if you’re eligible and get assistance applying for your rebate. We’d be glad to answer any questions and set up an appointment to help you complete your application online!

For those who prefer to file by mail, paper applications will be available in my office soon, and we will update here when they come in.

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.

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.

In observance of Presidents’ Day, our district office will be closed on Monday, February 17. We will reopen on Tuesday, February 18 at 9 AM to assist you with any state-related issue.

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,