Dear Neighbor,

The past few weeks in Harrisburg have been busy, and I’m hopeful about the important legislation we passed in the House – much of it related to the state budget we’re working on – and have sent on to the Senate for consideration.

I cover the highlights in the first story below, and in this note I’ll talk about the bills we approved concerning an issue that’s been the source of a tremendous amount of the public's concern around the commonwealth: data centers.

Here’s what the relevant pieces of legislation we approved this month in the House would accomplish:

• End the sales tax exemption on data centers. A few years ago, before the rise of AI technology spurred their recent proliferation, the legislature passed a tax exemption on equipment purchases for the companies that own them. That measure has served its purpose and is now working against our interest, and it’s time to end it. (HB 2198)

• Allow municipalities to choose to enact their own bans on development. Local governments should be able to consider what’s best for their own communities and be permitted to place a pause of up to 180 days on new data center applications. This would give them the time and flexibility to carefully evaluate the long-term impact of data center development and determine how much, if any, is appropriate for their communities. (HB 2496)

• • A related measure, HB 2151, would provide local elected officials with optional ordinance language they can choose to use that stipulates standards for sound, location, equipment, and building design.

• Establish accountability for data center operators. Right now, data centers are operating in PA without any meaningful regulations or accountability measures – that’s alarming. This bill would put into effect part of Governor Shapiro’s proposed Governor’s Responsible Infrastructure Development (GRID) plan. (HB 2650)

• Ban non-disclosure agreements between municipalities and data center operators. I was dismayed to hear from colleagues in some regions that companies wanting to build new data centers in particular regions are pressuring their local governments to put their interests over residents’. (HB 2359)

• Protect our clean water. Just one data center can guzzle up to 5 million gallons of water per day. Our legislation would require data centers to disclose their water consumption and give PA the right to require permits and oversee any use of more than 100,000 gallons of water per day for a given data center. (HB 2246)

As always, I will keep you apprised on these efforts.

Sincerely,

Legislative Update

Let’s look at some of the other important bills my colleagues and I moved so far this June, many of them with bipartisan support.

Modernizing licensure for pharma and biotech companies

Earlier this week, we voted unanimously to pass a bill I cosponsored that would incentivize biotech and pharmaceutical investment in PA; an effort that’s particularly important to Bucks County as we endeavor to grow our leadership in the life sciences. It’s an industry that provides tremendous economic support, fuels thousands of great jobs, and creates life-saving solutions to 21st century problems.

Taking steps like this to show companies why making their home in PA benefits their mission is crucial to us becoming a nationwide leader in pharmaceutical and biomedical innovation.  

Digital ad tax

It’s time to tax the big companies making money off of us through digital advertising – HB 1678 would create a new revenue stream for PA by instituting a digital ad tax on companies like Meta and Amazon, which are making millions off tracking our interests and then bombarding us with digital ads to try and profit even more.

The proposed tax could help fund our schools, pave roads, and invest in our communities – preventing property tax hikes in the process.

Healthy Workers, Healthy Small Business Act

This legislation aims to address healthcare affordability and prevent hospital closures by helping small businesses offer health insurance to their employees. 

HB 2550 would establish the Small Business Healthcare Premiums Contribution Tax Credit to give a 100% state tax credit on every dollar a small business (fewer than 50 employees) spends on its workers’ health insurance plans purchased via Pennie, the state exchange program.

Federal cuts to Affordable Care Act subsidies are behind many people losing their benefits. Workers with employer-provided health insurance are generally healthier, save money, and help support small local businesses. I’m proud to support measures that invest in people and strengthen our economy.

Modernizing fire companies

Municipal budget cuts are stretching fire companies thinner than ever, and it’s time to step up to support these first responders who keep us safe. The Supporting Our Firefighters Act would establish the Fire Company Transformational Grant Program, providing funding of up to $1 million to qualifying fire companies (volunteer, partially paid, and fully paid).

Outfitting just one firefighter now costs more than $20,000, and the base price for a fully equipped ambulance is $100,000, thanks to private equity companies taking over the fire apparatus industry. Fire companies need our help to afford these necessities; HB 2446 is crucial to providing that support.

Expanding pre-canvassing ballots

The past several election cycles have made it clear that people who strategize to cast doubt on election results have taken aim at voting by mail, trying to paint the concept as rife with fraud – which couldn’t be further from the truth. They’re trying to say that because mail-in ballots take some time to count, they should be invalidated. But the 24-hour news cycle doesn’t get to rewrite our constitution and decide which votes are worthy of being counted, or that election results must be delivered by 11 p.m. the night of the election.

The number of Pennsylvanians who request mail-in ballots keeps climbing with every election; 2.2 million people requested them in 2024. Election officials need to be able to conduct pre-canvassing, which means preparing mail-in ballots received in advance of election day so they’re ready to be scanned by the same machines that count the votes cast by people in person. Every voter rights group, senior citizen group, and group working to preserve our democracy agrees pre-canvassing is crucial to modernizing our elections – and so do I. HB 37 would get it done!

Protecting Homeowners Equity Act

Some predatory lenders are targeting homeowners who are struggling to pay their bills by exploiting them through arrangements that trade a lump-sum payment for a share of the home’s equity and future appreciation. These so-called “shared equity agreements” can effectively give the finance company a claim on a portion of the home’s future value, often with limited disclosure requirements and little to no foreclosure protections. Homeowners who later try to sell are sometimes surprised to learn they must pay these companies tens of thousands of dollars—equal to the share of appreciation owed—before they can complete the sale.

HB 2120 would apply the same rules to these agreements as mortgages or home equity loans, creating accountability and protecting homeowners. It would also require anyone entering into one to get independent advice from a financial counselor.

Interns visit the Capitol

I was glad I got to bring my office’s summer college interns, Leah and Daniela, along with our high school volunteers Reza, Padraig, Rayan and Ethan up to Harrisburg to visit the Capitol and witness a session day in action.

Here we are on the House floor with Speaker McClinton and my Deputy District Director Lloyd.

We also carved out time for me to take them on a tour of the Capitol’s dome, and stop by other notable spots in the historic building, giving me a chance to bust out my favorite Capitol trivia.

A wee island, but a big partnership

I had the opportunity this week to meet with the good folks from the Consulate General of Ireland, including General Consul Gerald Angley and Deputy General Consul Katie Daughen, to talk about the huge amount of economic exchange between Ireland and Pennsylvania.

The robust bilateral economic relationship is valued at over $8 billion annually, with Ireland serving as our ninth-largest trading partner and our sixth-largest source of foreign direct investment. In 2024, we implemented a Trade Commission with Ireland to further grow this relationship.

It is always nice to see these friendly faces and to talk about the special relationship we have with this tiny island, which has had such a big influence on this huge country and commonwealth.

I was joined by my friend Rep. Mary Jo Daley, the Chair of our Irish Caucus, and my friend Rep. Jim Haddock, who I recently joined with Irish Ambassador Geraldine Byrne Nason to honor the 250th Anniversary of the United States Navy and also Commodore John Barry (from Philadelphia by way of Wexford, Ireland), our Navy’s First Commissioned Officer.

In the District

Supporting the arts at the Michener

I was pleased to join Sen. Steve Santarsiero last month in presenting the Michener Art Museum with a $409,000 state grant for artwork monitoring improvements, helping ensure this local cultural treasure can continue preserving and showcasing world-class art for years to come.

The Michener is an incredible destination, and visitors have even more reason to stop by with the debut of Permanence: We Were Here, a powerful new commission by Roberto Lugo. As we approach America's 250th anniversary, the installation reflects on the site's history—from its origins as the Bucks County Jail to its transformation into a place of art, learning, and community.

And there's even more to explore. Linda from my office was delighted to attend the opening of The Crossing: Picturing the American Revolution, a remarkable exhibition that brings one of the nation's defining moments to life through art. It's another wonderful way to connect with our region's pivotal role during the America250 celebration.

State support has helped make investments like these possible, and I'm proud to support the arts and cultural institutions that enrich life throughout Doylestown and Bucks County. Thank you to Roberto Lugo, Michener Executive Director Anne Corso, Curator Laura Igoe, and the entire Michener team for bringing these meaningful projects to life.

Pride celebrations continue

At the beginning of June I wrote about being eager to celebrate all month long the right of every person to live and love openly as their authentic self. Those celebrations have continued, and with gusto!

I had an amazing time at last weekend's Doylestown Pride Block Party - such a fun and perfect day to celebrate with our incredible community! And there are still two more days left in the 2026 Doylestown Pride Drink Contest; click here to learn more and vote for your favorite Pride beverage among the participating restaurants.

Over in New Hope, it was wonderful to see the new Pride crosswalk become a reality. For generations, New Hope has been known not just in PA, but across the country, as a welcoming community that embraces diversity and inclusion. At a time when Pride symbols and other expressions of support for LGBTQ+ communities are being removed in some places across the country, this crosswalk is a vibrant affirmation of our values and a visible message to everyone who passes through the heart of town at West Mechanic Street and South Main Street, beside the Visitors Center: you belong here.

Congratulations to New Hope Celebrates and President Melissa Patterson for their years of advocacy to bring this project to life. Thank you to the New Hope Borough Council for embracing this vision and helping make it a reality, and to Visit Bucks County for providing the grant support that made the project possible.

As Pride Month comes to a close, I'm grateful to be part of a community that continues to celebrate acceptance, respect, and belonging. Happy Pride!

Concerts at the Commons

It’s been great to see Concerts at the Commons bring so much energy to Doylestown again on Thursday nights. Since this year’s first concert back in May, many nights have drawn more than 1,500 people out to take in the show; a clear indicator that free live music and community events like these strike a chord in our community.

We were pleased to work with Sen. Steve Santarsiero to secure $50,000 in state funding to help Stage United continue its mission of expanding access to live music here in the heart of Bucks County. A huge thank you to Joe Montone, the Stage United team, Doylestown Boro, volunteers, sponsors, and everyone who helped make this year's concerts such a success.

Stage United is exploring additional Concerts at the Commons shows this September and wants your input: would you rather see them on Thursday nights or Friday nights? Cast your vote and help decide what comes next!

Butterfly Garden at Broad Commons

Thank you to everyone who volunteered and to Doylestown Area FISH for continuing this important work. Click here to learn more about Doylestown FISH!

New Britain Road Trail

My district office staff had the pleasure of joining Doylestown Township staff for the ribbon cutting of the New Britain Road Trail with local officials and others who were integral to its development.

Stretching a half mile, this new addition broadens Doylestown trail network, combining Central Park, New Britain Road, Rolling Hill Blvd, and other trail systems, which will make these areas more accessible for community members.

This expansion was made possible with a $686,000 state grant from the Department of Community and Economic Development that was awarded through the Commonwealth Financing Authority.

Grassroots Picnic Project

This weekly community picnic run by the Free Library of New Hope & Solebury begins on Tuesday, June 16 and will occur on Summer Reading program days on Tuesday evenings, from 5-7 p.m., through August 18th! Picnics will be held on the NHS-SD practice field on Bridge Street, near the District Offices.

Our office will be there Tuesday June 30 at Know Your Reps night – stop by and say hi!

This summer, pack a picnic, grab your friends, and gather with the library!

They’ll have music, snacks, crafts, and a chance to talk about how to shape our community’s future. With different featured guests each week, you’ll hear from neighbors, organizers, elected officials and more about what they’re doing in our own backyard. And, importantly, they will hear from YOU! Part picnic, part workshop, all fun! Bring your ideas, your friends, and your enthusiasm – the aim is to build up our community toolkit to make real change at home.

PLUS: Lolly Hopwood's super popular Musical Evening Storytime will take place during the picnic at 5:30! This interactive story time is filled with imagination and movement that gets the families up and using their bodies and their minds. With props like parachutes, pom poms, scarves, bubbles, and puppets, these programs are a memorable time for the whole family. Please note that Lolly will not be at the Grassroots Picnic Project on 7/14 or 8/4.

Registration is not required for this program.

It's another exciting summer of live music! The 2026 Thompson Performing Arts Series is once again bringing a diverse lineup of tribute acts, party bands, and crowd favorites to the stage. Concerts are held Wednesday evenings at 7:00 PM and are designed to be fun, family-friendly, and accessible for the entire community. Click here for the schedule!

Tri-Municipal Fourth of July Parade

The annual tri-municipal Fourth of July Parade will be held on July 4, 2026, at 9:30 AM.  The parade begins at the Town Center (little Giant) in New Britain Borough on Butler Avenue and concludes at North Branch Park

Pennsylvania State Capitol

27B East Wing

Harrisburg, PA 17120

(717) 772-2361

District Office

80 North Main St., Suite 1A
Doylestown, PA 18901

(267) 884-0395

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