This week brought no shortage of new and egregious actions taken at the federal level. My office and I continue to hear from constituents, local officials, and organizations concerned about the impacts of the ongoing cuts, layoffs, and executive orders.
In our March 7 newsletter, I talked a bit about what we can and cannot control at the state level, and about the importance of continuing to contact our federal elected officials and make your voice heard. While much of what’s happening is still beyond state control, political engagement and understanding of what’s at stake are crucial in this moment.
Earlier this week, the Department of Defense removed thousands of pages of content containing educational, historical information about the military contributions of women and people of color from the Department of Defense and Arlington National Cemetery websites. The removal followed President Trump’s executive order to remove “DEI content” from all platforms. According to ABC News, the removed content included pages honoring the Tuskegee Airmen, the Enola Gay, Jackie Robinson, the Navajo Code Talkers, history-making female fighter pilots and the Marines at Iwo Jima. While some of those pages have been restored after public outcry, the truth remains that this administration is, by its own admission, making every effort to erase the histories and historical contributions of women, people of color and other marginalized Americans.
On Thursday, President Trump issued an Executive Order calling for the closure of the U.S. Department of Education. First, only Congress has the authority to dismantle a federal department. The legal battles are already emerging. Meanwhile, layoffs and attacks on the department are already underway, and we are all working to understand, brace for, and protect against the impacts to our students and our schools.
The U.S. Department of Education has no role in determining curriculum or overseeing the day-to-day operations of our school districts. What it does do is provide funding to our school districts, enforce the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to ensure that students with disabilities are able to access public education, uphold the civil rights of all students, and collect aggregate data to help state departments of education identify trends and make decisions about education policy.
In Pennsylvania, the U.S. Department of Education provides about 6.5% of school funding, with the rest met through state and local funds. That percentage is higher in districts with greater need, representing a significant chunk of the annual operating budgets for many rural, urban, and suburban districts. The loss of federal funding would require cuts to things like reading programs, programs for English language learners, and supports for students experiencing homelessness or those in the foster care or juvenile justice systems.
The Trump administration insists that this funding will not go away, but that remains to be seen. What we do know is that there have already been significant cuts to the department, including especially to the Office for Civil Rights. One thing that hasn’t changed: The laws that protect children with disabilities and the civil rights of all students still exist. In the absence of a strong federal Department of Education and Office of Civil Rights, the responsibility for enforcing these laws will fall to the states.
Now more than ever, it’s essential that we have a state government that will protect our rights and the rights of our children to a free, thorough, and appropriate public education.
Legislatively, we are working to understand the impact and find ways to adjust as we continue negotiations toward the 2025 budget deadline in June. We will work once again this session to pass the Fairness Act, which passed the House last session with bipartisan support but died in the Senate.
In the judicial branch, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court has become more important than ever as they will become the arbiter of legal challenges that may arise in the absence of a strong federal Department of Education.
The Pennsylvania House remains at 101-101. Next Tuesday’s special election in Allegheny County will determine the balance of power. No matter what happens, I remain committed to fighting for public education and for the civil rights of all Pennsylvania’s students. It’s going to take all of us to continue standing up and advocating for what we value and pushing back against what we cannot accept. The power to fight back, preserve our democracy, and protect our constitution is ours.
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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.
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Mobile Office at the Downingtown Library
Join us for a Mobile Office at the Downingtown Library!
Stop by to meet the staff from District Office 155! This is a great opportunity to learn about state services and to ask questions about issues that concern you.
Our staff can help you with SEPTA Key Senior ID Card sign-ups (must be age 65+/bring your ID), Unclaimed Property searches, Property Tax/Rent Rebate forms, PA Yellow Dot Program, information on Real ID and other state related services.
Stop in to say hello and find out how we can help you! We look forward to meeting you!
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Unclaimed Property Office Hours
Each year, the Pennsylvania Treasury receives hundreds of millions of dollars in unclaimed property. Unclaimed property may include checks from employers, insurers, or utility companies; dividends and interest from savings accounts and stocks; and credit balances on forgotten accounts. These items and funds go missing, often for things as simple as a misspelled name or an out-of-date address.
My office has a list of constituents in the district with property yet to be claimed, and we are working to get your rightful property back to you! The process to search & claim is simple & free and my office is here to help!
Join us the First Wednesday of the Month at our district office where my staff will help you search & claim your unclaimed property.
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Free Paper-Only Shred Event & Food Drive
Join State Representative Danielle Friel Otten and the Chester County Food Bank for a FREE Paper-Only Shred Event & Food Drive!
Bring your confidential documents to be securely destroyed and safely recycled! Each car will be limited to 4 file-size boxes. Small paper clips and staples are OK, but please no binder clips, binders, cardboard, X-ray films, or photographs (plan to take your boxes home with you).
The shredding event & food drive will take place in the parking lot of Lionville Middle School, 550 W Uwchlan Ave, Exton on Saturday, May 3 beginning at 1 PM. This event is first come, first served. When the truck is full, the shredding event will end. However, food donations will be accepted until 3 PM (check the food bank’s website for additional hours).
The food drive will benefit the Chester County Food Bank in their mission of fighting food insecurity and building support for our neighbors in need.
Most-needed food items include: cereal, canned tuna/salmon/chicken, brown rice, pasta sauce/canned tomatoes, & fruits (in juice) canned or in cups.
If you have any questions, please contact Rep. Otten’s district office at 484-200-8259 or email repotten@pahouse.net.
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Free Septa Senior Key Card Event
Did you know that seniors ride free on SEPTA with a Senior Fare Card?
To help seniors 65 and older get their initial fare card or renew an expired card, the offices of State Representative Danielle Friel Otten and Senator Carolyn Comitta have partnered for a Free Septa Senior Key Card Event at Downingtown Borough Hall on May 15.
The process to sign-up or renew your fare card is simple, fast, & free! All you need to apply is a form of ID that verifies age, such as a driver's license, state ID, social security statement, passport, etc.
Can’t make it to this event? No problem! Both Rep. Otten’s District Office in Exton and Sen. Comitta’s District Office in West Chester can process applications during normal business hours.
If you have any questions, please contact Rep. Otten’s office at 484-200-8259 or Sen. Comitta’s office at 610-692-2112.
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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.
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LIHEAP Applications are Now Available!
The application process for the annual Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is now 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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,
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Danielle Friel Otten
State Representative,
155th Legislative District
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Pennsylvania State Capitol
34 East Wing
Harrisburg, PA 17120
(717) 783-5009
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District Office
631 Pottstown Pike
Exton, PA 19341
(484) 200-8259
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