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A focus on energy reliability as our region picks up from storm; Update on ICE

(1 day ago)

Last weekend’s snowstorm brought real disruption to our region. Schools closed, businesses adjusted their hours, and many community events were postponed or canceled. The effects lingered into the early part of the week, reminding us how quickly winter weather can upend daily routines. Read more

 

Prepare for the winter storm; First responders honored; Grants awarded to local projects

(Jan 26, 2026)

It looks like much of the country is gearing up for a major winter storm, and central Chester County is right in the path of it. With so many of us preparing to hunker down, this is a good moment to take stock of what you might need for a few days at home. Read more

 

Otten highlights more than $1.4 million in state funding for community infrastructure projects

(Jan 23, 2026)

EXTON, Jan. 23 – State Rep. Danielle Friel Otten, D-Chester, today announced that nearly $1.4 million in state funding was approved for infrastructure projects in her central Chester County legislative district. “State investments like these help our communities address long-standing infrastructure needs and keep pace with growth while alleviating some of the burden on local taxpayers,” Otten said. “My team and I enjoy working with our local municipalities to identify their needs and funding priorities, and I’m thrilled to have helped bring these resources to our district. These projects will help to improve public safety, address the infrastructure challenges that come with development and population growth, and enhance quality of life for residents across central Chester County.” Funding awarded from the Multimodal Transportation Fund includes: Main Line Hospitals Downingtown Health Center Transportation in Caln Township, $532,167 for roadway, intersection, and pedestrian infrastructure improvements at the site of the proposed Main Line Health Center at Lloyd Avenue and Route 322. Uwchlan Township and Lionville Middle School Whitford Road Pedestrian Crossing Project , $120,569, for pedestrian safety improvements at the intersection of Whitford Road and Lori Circle. Funding awarded from the Small Water and Sewer Program includes: Uwchlan Township Municipal Authority , Read more

 

Continuing to move Pennsylvania forward; Farm Show brings PA together

(Jan 16, 2026)

As we begin 2026, we remain focused on delivering real results for the people of Pennsylvania. Last year, we advanced more than 280 bills to lower taxes, help families save for retirement, put more teachers in our classrooms, and make our communities safer. We are living through challenging times, and we continue to move Pennsylvania forward by staying focused on the issues that matter most to working families. Read more

 

Otten announces more than $1 million in new DCNR grants

(Jan 13, 2026)

EXTON, Jan. 13 – State Rep. Danielle Friel Otten, D-Chester, today announced that $1,068,400 in state funding has been awarded to benefit community conservation efforts in her central Chester County legislative district. Funding was administered by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Bureau of Recreation and Conservation’s Community Conservation Partnerships Program (C2P2), which helps communities improve parks and playgrounds, build and repair trails, conserve open space, restore rivers and watersheds, and grow local economies through outdoor recreation. “These grants reflect our shared commitment to preserving open space and expanding access to outdoor recreation opportunities for every resident,” Otten said. “By improving parks, strengthening trail connections, and protecting natural spaces, we’re investing in both our quality of life today and the long-term environmental stewardship that will benefit Chester County for generations.” DCNR approved funding for the following projects in Otten’s central Chester County district: Caln Township, $472,500, for the construction of approximately 0.25 miles of the Beaver Creek Trail from Lloyd Park to Mary Street Field, including stormwater management measures, a pedestrian bridge, ADA access, landscaping, and other related site improvements. East Brandywine Township, $338,400 toward the acquisition of approximately 14.9 acres for Read more

 

Staying Safe While Demanding Accountability; Plus, Route 30 Bypass updates and more

(Jan 09, 2026)

I hope everyone enjoyed a joyful and restorative holiday season, and I wish you all the very best in the year ahead. As we begin 2026, I also want to extend my congratulations to all our newly elected local officials as they step into their roles and begin this important work on behalf of our communities. Public service is a team effort, and I’m grateful for every partner, new and returning, who is committed to strengthening our region. I am looking forward to another year of community and collaboration here in central Chester County as we continue the work of serving our neighbors together. Read more

 

2026 Web Calendar State Representative Danielle Friel Otten

(Jan 01, 2026)

2026 Web Calendar State Representative Danielle Friel Otten Read more

 

More than $2M in grants awarded to our community; Plus, holiday hours and legislative updates

(Dec 19, 2025)

As 2025 draws to a close, I want to wish each of you the peace and love of the season and hope for the new year ahead. As we look toward the beginning of a new year and a new legislative session, I am grateful for the work our community continues to do together for the collective good of all. Read more

 

Otten applauds more than $2.1M in LSA grants

(Dec 18, 2025)

HARRISBURG, Dec. 18 – State Rep. Danielle Friel Otten, D-Chester, today announced that $2,150,966 in state funding has been awarded to benefit multiple community projects and local organizations. Funding was approved by the Commonwealth Financing Authority through the state’s Local Share Account program, which is derived from the taxes paid by Pennsylvania casinos. “These grant awards prioritize public health and safety, emergency services and outdoor recreation,” Otten said. “Specifically, these investments will support flood mitigation efforts, sewer repairs, traffic safety, emergency response, and improvements to parks and trails in our district. I’m grateful to our municipalities for all the hard work they are doing to meet the challenges of population growth, higher operating costs, and increasingly severe weather events, and I’m pleased to have helped secure this critical funding for our local communities.” The CFA approved funding for the following projects in Otten’s central Chester County district: $375,000 to Downingtown Borough for the Downingtown Area Flood Planning Project, which will allow the borough to complete a plan for a flood mitigation strategy as part of an intermunicipal effort to address ongoing flooding issues in Downingtown Borough and eastern portions of Caln Township. $142,763 for Caln Township, for the purchase of two electric police vehicles and Read more

 

Pa. House advances Reproductive Rights Amendment with bipartisan support

(Dec 17, 2025)

HARRISBURG, Dec. 17 – The Pennsylvania House of Representatives today approved a joint resolution sponsored by state Reps. Danielle Friel Otten, D-Chester, Liz Hanbidge, D-Montgomery, and La’Tasha D. Mayes, D-Allegheny, that would allow Pennsylvania residents to add a Reproductive Rights Amendment to the state constitution. The Otten, Hanbidge and Mayes bill, H.B. 1957 , proposes an amendment to the Pennsylvania constitution that would reaffirm and protect every Pennsylvanians’ right to privacy and ensure that the state shall not deny or interfere with an individual’s reproductive freedom in their most intimate personal decisions. The amendment would ensure that every individual has a right of privacy with respect to personal, sexual and reproductive health care decisions, including the right to choose or refuse an abortion, the right to choose or refuse contraceptives, and the right to choose or refuse fertility care, all without discrimination on the basis of race, sex, religion or relationship status. The bill passed the House with bipartisan support by a vote of 102 to 101. Today’s action represents a significant step toward advancing the legislation, which could ultimately appear on a future ballot for Pennsylvania voters to decide whether fundamental reproductive rights should be explicitly protected in the state constitution. For the first time in recent legislative history, Pennsylvania is taking proactive steps to protect Read more

 

Upcoming vote on reproductive rights; Reflecting on 2025 legislative wins and challenges

(Dec 12, 2025)

As the year winds down, the Pennsylvania House is preparing for its final session days of 2025. These closing days are always a chance to reflect on what we have accomplished together and focus on the work that still lies ahead. Read more

 

How to submit public comment on the PUC model tariff for Large Load Customers

(Dec 08, 2025)

Submit Comments Here on the PUC Model Tariff for Large Load Customers Read more

 

Ask PUC to protect ratepayers from higher energy costs driven by data centers

(Dec 05, 2025)

In last week’s newsletter, we talked about rising energy costs for customers in Chester County and throughout Pennsylvania and the other states in the PJM grid region. These price spikes can be attributed to an enormous increase in demand driven by the actual and forecasted needs of data centers. Read more

 

Lowering Your Energy Bills; Election Updates; Legislative Progress

(Nov 21, 2025)

The House returned to Harrisburg this week with a full agenda, and legislators worked across party lines to move important bills forward. Read more

 

Pennsylvania Budget Impasse Ends with Bipartisan Votes

(Nov 14, 2025)

The state budget is finally complete after months of stalling by Senate leadership followed by some intense debate, negotiation, and compromise. It was a lengthy and frustrating process that caused real pain and, in many cases, extra costs for school districts, counties, and nonprofits that depend on state funding to deliver critical services. Read more

 

Ensuring transparency, fairness, and confidence in our democratic process

(Nov 07, 2025)

As most of you are aware, Tuesday’s municipal election in Chester County did not unfold as smoothly as expected. Early in the day, county officials discovered that third-party and newly registered voters had been accidentally omitted from poll books. Read more

 

Chester County lawmakers call for investigation into poll book errors on Election Day 2025

(Nov 05, 2025)

State Rep. Danielle Friel Otten and the Chester County Delegation sent a letter to the Pa. Department of State requesting an investigation into the poll book errors that took place Election Day 2025 in Chester County. Read more

 

Bracing for Federal Shutdown Impact

(Oct 31, 2025)

This week, both chambers of the Pennsylvania legislature were back in Harrisburg for session. Although recent reports indicate that negotiations between the Governor’s office, House leaders, and Senate leaders have picked up in recent days, we still remain without a finalized state budget. While discussions appear to be ongoing, critical funding for schools, human services, and community programs continue to hang in the balance. Read more

 

Local elementary school honored; Help for SNAP recipients; Critical women's health legislation advances

(Oct 24, 2025)

On Thursday, Lionville Elementary School in the Downingtown Area School District celebrated 65 years of educational excellence and added another milestone to its legacy. Read more

 

House Judiciary Committee advances Reproductive Rights Amendment

(Oct 22, 2025)

HARRISBURG, Oct. 22 – The Pennsylvania House Judiciary Committee today approved a joint resolution sponsored by state Reps. Danielle Friel Otten, D-Chester, Liz Hanbidge, D-Montgomery, and La’Tasha D. Mayes, D-Allegheny, that would add a Reproductive Rights Amendment to the Pennsylvania constitution. The proposed legislation, introduced as H.B. 1957 , comes at a pivotal moment in the national conversation on reproductive rights. Since the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, the authority to regulate reproductive health care has shifted to individual states, prompting a wave of legislative and voter-led efforts across the country. In response, voters in states such as Ohio, Michigan, Vermont and California have approved constitutional amendments or ballot initiatives to enshrine reproductive rights in their state constitutions. These actions reflect a growing recognition that state-level protections are now essential to safeguarding access to abortion and other reproductive health care. Pennsylvania’s proposed amendment seeks to join this national movement by ensuring reproductive freedom is permanently enshrined in the state constitution. The Otten, Hanbidge and Mayes bill proposes an amendment to the Pennsylvania constitution that would reaffirm and protect every Pennsylvanian’s right to privacy and ensure that the state shall not deny or Read more

 

A focus on energy reliability as our region picks up from storm; Update on ICE
1 day ago

Prepare for the winter storm; First responders honored; Grants awarded to local projects
Jan 26, 2026

Otten highlights more than $1.4 million in state funding for community infrastructure projects
Jan 23, 2026

Continuing to move Pennsylvania forward; Farm Show brings PA together
Jan 16, 2026

Otten announces more than $1 million in new DCNR grants
Jan 13, 2026

Staying Safe While Demanding Accountability; Plus, Route 30 Bypass updates and more
Jan 09, 2026

2026 Web Calendar State Representative Danielle Friel Otten
Jan 01, 2026

More than $2M in grants awarded to our community; Plus, holiday hours and legislative updates
Dec 19, 2025

Otten applauds more than $2.1M in LSA grants
Dec 18, 2025

Pa. House advances Reproductive Rights Amendment with bipartisan support
Dec 17, 2025

Upcoming vote on reproductive rights; Reflecting on 2025 legislative wins and challenges
Dec 12, 2025

How to submit public comment on the PUC model tariff for Large Load Customers
Dec 08, 2025

Ask PUC to protect ratepayers from higher energy costs driven by data centers
Dec 05, 2025

Lowering Your Energy Bills; Election Updates; Legislative Progress
Nov 21, 2025

Pennsylvania Budget Impasse Ends with Bipartisan Votes
Nov 14, 2025

Ensuring transparency, fairness, and confidence in our democratic process
Nov 07, 2025

Chester County lawmakers call for investigation into poll book errors on Election Day 2025
Nov 05, 2025

Bracing for Federal Shutdown Impact
Oct 31, 2025

Local elementary school honored; Help for SNAP recipients; Critical women's health legislation advances
Oct 24, 2025

House Judiciary Committee advances Reproductive Rights Amendment
Oct 22, 2025