MALVERN, March 19 – State Rep. Kristine Howard (D-Chester) applauded the decision of U.S. immigration authorities to halt enforcement activities as the nation deals with the coronavirus, an approach Howard proposed to members of Congress in a February 28th letter . “This enormous swath of the population is less likely to seek medical treatment for fear of legal repercussions and deportation,” Howard said. “Allowing people to live in fear not only jeopardizes their own health, but the health of every individual in the state, the nation and the world.” As a direct result of Howard’s outreach, U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Oregon) and other prominent senators sent a letter to the president’s Coronavirus Task Force, expressing “deep and urgent concern,” and calling on the Department of Homeland Security to “immediately stop all civil immigration enforcement activities occurring in or around public health departments, hospitals, medical clinics and centers, or coronavirus testing sites or laboratories.” Immigration and customs enforcement officials announced its Enforcement and Removal Operations division will “delay enforcement actions” and use “alternatives to detention” amid the outbreak. ICE is halting enforcement across the nation, with the exception of efforts to deport foreign nationals who have committed crimes or who pose a threat to public safety. “I am Read more
Congress Letter re: ICE Read more
In light of the current COVID-19 pandemic affecting Pennsylvania, we wanted to provide you with the following resources and information to help you and your family in the days ahead. Please note that this webpage will be updated as needed with additional information and resources. State Services and Resources The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has created a COVID-19 guide to assist everyone. It includes information on social distancing, mental health resources, unemployment, food assistance, changes from PennDOT and resources for small business: https://www.pa.gov/guides/responding-to-covid-19/ For individuals : https://www.pa.gov/guides/responding-to-covid-19/#ForIndividuals For families : https://www.pa.gov/guides/responding-to-covid-19/#ForFamilies For businesses : https://dced.pa.gov/resources COVID Support for PA Businesses : The following provides information and and links to federal, state, local and private resources. https://www.pahouse.com/News/?id=113388 **Self-employed, independent contractors, gig economy workers: Apply here for federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) benefits .** https://www.pa.gov/guides/responding-to-covid-19/#ForBusinessesUtilities Information from the PA Dept. of Labor and Industry on the federal CARES Act: https://www.uc.pa.gov/COVID-19/CARES-Act/Pages/default.aspx The following link provides you with Read more
HARRISBURG, March 9 – State Rep. Kristine Howard, D-Chester, is urging the passage of legislation designed to strengthen democracy by improving access to voting, reducing the power of big-money corporate special interests, and ensuring lawmakers put the people’s interests first in Pennsylvania. “A democracy is only as strong as its people, and the people show their strength at the polls,” Howard said. “The people are made up of more than deep-pocketed special interest groups. We must ensure everyone has access to the polls, and that everyone’s voice is heard. Otherwise, ‘a government of the people, by the people, and for the people’ is an empty phrase.” Howard’s sentiments echoed those of House Democratic Leader Frank Dermody, D-Allegheny: “Nothing breaks down the people’s trust in their government and their elected officials like seeing deep-pocket donors get what they want while regular working families are left with nothing but the bill to pay. “It’s time Pennsylvania took a leading role when it comes to honest elections, getting more people to the polls and making sure your voice counts more than special interest dollars.” Dermody noted the Citizens United decision first opened the floodgates of hidden money into U.S. elections 10 years ago, and a combination of partisan gerrymandering, attacks on voting rights and foreign influence on elections has Read more
Malvern, March 4 – State Rep. Kristine Howard, D-Chester, today announced Historic Sugartown Inc. and Historic Yellow Springs received a combined $13,270 in state grant funding. The funds were awarded by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission’s Cultural and Historical Support Grant Program. The program provides general operating support to Pennsylvania museums and official county historical societies that are not directly supported by other state agencies operating support programs. “To know who we are today, we must know who we were,” Howard said. “To know where we are going, we must know where we came from, and I’m glad to see this money will help these villages preserve and educate the public on Chester County’s rich historical roots.” Preserved by Historic Sugartown Inc., Historic Sugartown is a restored and preserved 19 th century rural crossroads village that allows visitors to experience how life and business were conducted. Historic Yellow Springs is a living village that preserves 275 years of American history and focuses on the village’s history and promotes the arts, education and the environment. Historic Sugartown Inc. received $4,000 and Historic Yellow Springs received $9,270 in state funding. For more information about this program, visit https://www.phmc.pa.gov/Preservation/Grants-Funding/Pages/Museum-Support.aspx . Read more
Winter 2020 NL Read more
Quiet and deadly, people from all walks of life are afflicted by opioid addiction. Every day, 192 American lives are lost to opioid overdose. These victims have families, friends, communities. This epidemic affects more than those who abuse the drugs – it devastates the lives of everyone in its orbit. Sadly, our society is alarmingly susceptible to this deadly habit. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , Pennsylvania has one of the highest overdose-related death rates in the country, behind only Ohio and West Virginia, as of 2017. That same year, Chester County alone saw 107 deaths as a result of the horrors of this epidemic. And the deaths are only a part of the picture. Since the start of 2018, there have been more than 21,000 ER visits in Pennsylvania alone for opioid overdoses. Solving this crisis requires “all hands on deck.” A united, bipartisan effort is essential to treating those currently addicted and to implementing preventative measures that will halt this epidemic. We must collaborate with law enforcement, healthcare providers and our schools to provide a holistic solution. Profit-obsessed pharmaceutical manufacturers have created a line of products that undercuts patients’ wellbeing, all too frequently replacing existing problems with new ones. It is my personal mission to continue fighting this crisis on behalf of those battling addiction, as well as their loved ones. Along with other Read more
NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE State Rep. Kristine Howard D-Chester www.pahouse.com/Howard Howard to host Policy Committee hearing on opioid epidemic Monday in Exton, followed by constituent listening event at 6 p.m. EXTON, Feb. 18 – State Rep. Kristine Howard, D-Chester, will host a House Democratic Policy Committee public hearing on the opioid epidemic in Pennsylvania. The hearing will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, Feb. 24 at West Whiteland Township Building, 101 Commerce Drive. Howard will also hold a listening session for constituents at 6 p.m. at the same location. Discussion will center on what Pennsylvania has done and plans on doing to address the ongoing opioid crisis. Howard will be joined by fellow legislators from across the state, including Policy Committee Chairman Mike Sturla, D-Lancaster. The current agenda is: 2 p.m. Welcome and opening remarks 2:10 p.m. Panel One: Nathan Schenker , first assistant public defender, Chester County Vince Cocco , assistant district attorney, Chester County 2:45 p.m. Panel Two: Vincent H. Brown , executive director, Chester County Department of Drug and Alcohol Services Jamie Johnson , deputy director, Chester County Department of Drug and Alcohol Services Karen Archambo, clinical Read more
For many, the phrase human trafficking conjures images of elsewhere. They may have heard that the U.S. Department of State estimates some 12 million victims of human trafficking worldwide. But not here, surely. Not in my backyard. Yet sadly, terrifyingly, it is here. The Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape estimates over 100,000 U.S. citizens are victims of human trafficking each year, plus tens of thousands of undocumented citizens are suffering forced labor within our borders. More shockingly still, the Philadelphia area has been identified as a major American hub for human trafficking. Traffickers profit from abusing and exploiting others, most often through forced labor and sex crimes. These traffickers wield immense power over their victims by forcing them into extreme dependency. That these appalling acts happen today, in our own community, is mind-boggling. Something must be done, and I am happy to say that my fellow legislators – on both sides of the aisle – and I recently voted nearly unanimously on the following bills to support victims and to toughen penalties for human trafficking: H.B. 161 – Would amend the Crimes Code to increase the grading for a conviction for dealing in infant children from a first-degree misdemeanor to a first-degree felony. H.B. 2174 – Would amend the Crimes Code to ensure it affords victims of human trafficking the same protections contained Read more
With pipelines crisscrossing my district, I was very happy to hear Gov. Wolf include pipeline safety and oversight initiatives in his 2020-21 budget plan. Pipeline safety and accountability are enormous concerns in Chester County, and I have worked to ensure those concerns are heard in Harrisburg. In addition to meetings with Energy Transfer Partners, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, and the Public Utility Commission, I also met with Gov. Wolf multiple times to discuss my concerns – and those of my constituents – regarding this issue. Additionally, at my invitation, the governor visited Chester County to tour pipeline sights. The seeds of these meetings bore fruit this past week, as evidenced in the governor’s budget address. The governor has displayed a deeper insight in these matters, and I am very enthusiastic about his prioritization of pipeline issues and his call for immediate legislative action to address glaring gaps in existing law: As it stands, no state agency has authority to review intrastate pipeline routes, essentially allowing pipeline operators to site through densely populated high-consequence areas. Pipeline operators are not currently required to provide pertinent information to schools and childcare centers located near pipelines. Operators are not required to provide residents and municipalities with notification regarding drilling activities at least five days in Read more
Please use the form below to sign up for email updates. By completing this form you are acknowledging your request to receive periodic email updates.
By completing this form, you are verifying your request to opt in for email updates.
Thank you. Your email signup has been sent. You should start getting emails within 24 hours.
Please use the form below to email Rep. Kristine C. Howard.
Thank you. Your feedback has been sent.
Greentree Office Building40 Lloyd Ave., Suite 309Malvern, PA 19355
P*: (610) 251-1070
F*: (484) 200-8271
Hours of Operation - Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.
Appointments Encouraged
1709 Art School RdChester Springs, PA 19425
Hours of Operation - First Tuesday of every month, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
450 Exton Square PkwyExton, PA 19341
Hours of Operation - Fourth Tuesday of every month, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
215 Windgate DriveChester Springs, PA 19425-3650
Hours of Operation - Second Tuesday of every month, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
126 Wallace Ave.Downingtown, PA 19335-2600
Hours of Operation - Third Tuesday of every month from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
(Temporary Address from May through September)
107 East WingPO Box 202167Harrisburg, PA 17120-2167
P*: (717) 783-4088
F*: (717) 772-1231