Dear Friends,
Happy New Year! As we welcome in 2025 and my colleagues and I take the oath of office next week, I wanted to share some of my hopes for the upcoming legislative session. While much was accomplished in the House, many important pieces of legislation didn’t make it to the governor’s desk and I’m hopeful that this year they will!
I think our greatest opportunities for growth and the foundation of our future economic success lie with improving access to education and education affordability. From childcare and Pre-k to post-secondary education, we need to find a way to ensure that children and families have access to high quality, affordable education. We also need to ensure that all of the commonwealth’s students, k-12, have equitable and appropriate access to learning. These efforts are an investment in our future workforce. They ensure that our current workforce can access childcare, and it is essential to ensuring that families recognize Pennsylvania as a good place to live, work, and raise a family. While the bills which I believe impact this issue cover a variety of topics, my hope is that the General Assembly can continue to work together to ensure that the future for our students and our economy remains bright.
Some of the most impactful pieces of legislation I am hopeful will pass this legislative session are bills to combat gun violence. Last session, for the first time in more than a decade, the House passed bills to prevent gun violence. While these simple commonsense solutions did not gain traction in the Senate, I am hopeful that, with continued advocacy, the House and Senate can come together to combat the horrors of gun violence in the commonwealth.
On January 1, 22 states increased their minimum wage, giving a raise to more than 9.2 million U.S. workers. Currently, 30 states have minimum wages above the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour, which was enacted in 2009. Pennsylvania is not one of them. Adjusted for inflation, the $7.25 rate when enacted would be the equivalent of $10.28 today. Full-time employment at the current rate earns around $15,000 annually, less than half the poverty line for individuals. All of our surrounding states including Delaware, Ohio and West Virginia, have a higher wage than Pennsylvania. I am hopeful that we can get an increase to the minimum wage to Governor Shapiro’s desk. It passed the House last year but did not move in the Senate. I am hopeful that this session we can work with the Senate in order to help Pennsylvania’s lowest earning citizens.
I am also hopeful that we can take further steps in ensuring better access to healthcare. For many, access to healthcare, whether because of affordability, policy, proximity or other reasons, is central to their ability to survive and thrive. I hope we see more bills making healthcare accessible and affordable get signed into law, including bills ensuring access to reproductive healthcare.
What are some of the things you are hopeful to see get signed into law this legislative session? What topics are you planning to advocate for?
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Warning: Select SEPTA Passes Malfunctioning
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SEPTA is experiencing a fare card processing issue that is causing some Senior, Reduced Fare, Paratransit, and Student cards to be declined at turnstiles, bus fareboxes, and regional rail readers.
While they are working on a resolution, all staff have been instructed to allow impacted cardholders to continue riding without disruption.
This does not affect riders who use standard SEPTA Key Cards or contactless payments.
All SEPTA frontline personnel are aware of the problem and ready to assist customers as they work through the issue.
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It’s a New Year and a new opportunity to serve you! We’re here to help!
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OPEN HOUSE January 11, 2025
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Our office will be hosting an open house on January 11, from 1 p.m. -3 p.m. Enjoy light refreshments, meet the Rep and learn how we can assist you with state services! We will be accepting donations on behalf of Your Way Home. Requested donations include blankets, socks, handwarmers, medical supplies, and other basic needs for people experiencing homelessness in Montgomery County.
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RESCHEULED MOBILE OFFICE North Wales Area Library – January 14, 2025
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Need assistance with state services? My office will be at North Wales Area Library on Tuesday, January 14, from 11:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m., ready and able to serve you! Free notary services will be at this mobile office!
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PHEAA Webinar, January 30, 2025
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Helping with Higher Education, Every Step of the Way – Financial Aid 101
New to the financial aid process? Our 101 course will help cover the basics around the application process, types of aid available, and overall tips for keeping your education affordable. Sign up here!
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As temperatures get colder, the Department of Human Services is now accepting applications for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). LIHEAP is a federally funded program administered by DHS that helps Pennsylvanians pay their heating bills during the winter months. Assistance is available for both renters and homeowners. The LIHEAP application period for cash and crisis grants is open from November 4, 2024, to April 4, 2025.
If you or a loved one needs assistance in applying for LIHEAP, please call my District Office at (610) 277-3230, and we will assist you right away.
Learn more: dhs.pa.gov/LIHEAP
Apply now: dhs.pa.gov/COMPASS
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Pennsylvania State Capitol
28-B East Wing
Harrisburg, PA 17120
(717) 783-4102
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District Office
1098 W. Skippack Pike
Blue Bell, PA 19422
(610) 277-3230
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