Dear Neighbor,

Many families across our community are already feeling the strain of rising costs, and PECO’s latest proposed rate increase would only make things worse.

I joined my Delaware County House colleagues last week in strongly opposing PECO’s proposed electric and natural gas rate increase. If approved, the average household could see monthly bills increase by about $20 (12.5%) for electricity and $14.50 (11.4%) for natural gas next year. This would mark the third rate increase PECO has pursued in the last four years.

At a time when families and seniors are already struggling with the rising cost of groceries, health care, and everyday essentials, these increases are simply unacceptable, especially following prior utility hikes.

That’s why I also supported HB 1834, which would require large energy users, like data centers, to pay their fair share instead of shifting costs onto consumers. We passed HB 1834 through the PA House last month and it now heads to the PA Senate for consideration.

I will continue working to push back against these increases and stand up for Pennsylvania families.

You can make your voice heard on this proposed rate hike by signing the petition HERE.

To file a formal complaint against PECO visit HERE

If you need assistance with your energy bill, there are programs available to help. Contact PECO now to ask about their assistance programs or payment plan options.

Here are some of the programs available to help pay for your energy bill.

• The PECO Customer Assistance Program (CAP) is designed to help low-income residential customers maintain utility service by helping to lower your monthly utility bill and may also reduce or remove the amount your already owe. You can apply online or visit my office for help.
• The  Matching Energy Assistance Fund (MEAF) is an energy assistance program that is designed to provide emergency support to low-income, residential customers who are facing a temporary hardship with bill payment. It provides the opportunity for a household to have a fresh start. MEAF is funded primarily by customers through one-time or recurring contributions. PECO matches every contribution dollar for dollar upon award of a MEAF grant. The program is year-round. 

To apply for MEAF visit: Community Action Agency of Delaware County, 1414 Meetinghouse Road, Upper Chichester, PA 19061. Phone: 610-874-8451

• The PECO Customer Relief Fund is available for qualified residential customers in the PECO service area and is administered by the United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey that will provide eligible PECO customers with a one-time grant of $750.

 To be eligible to participate in the fund, you must meet the following criteria: 

• Be a current PECO residential electric and/or natural gas customer
• Have a past-due balance of no more than $2,500 or, along with a customer co-payment, can bring the balance down to $2,500
• Not have received a grant from this program previously
• Have no theft-of-service charges on the PECO account in the past 12 months
• Have a household annual income not exceeding 150% of the 2026 Federal Poverty Level (FPL). Based on current FPL guidelines, this would enable a family of four making $49,500 or less per year to qualify.

To apply visit: https://unitedforimpact.submittable.com/submit

• The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is open through May 8 and can provide a one-time cash grant to help cover your heating bills. Depending on your household size and income, eligible residents can receive up to $1,000. LIHEAP also offers additional support through its crisis grant program for households facing emergencies, like a broken furnace or threat of shutoff.

You can apply online or stop in my office for help applying. Unfortunately, LIHEAP funds are in jeopardy at the federal level – read below for more info.

With the federal budget for 2027 introduced last Friday, there is a new proposal from the Trump Administration to eliminate the LIHEAP program. This critical program helps families stay warm during the winter months by providing a one-time cash grant that is sent directly to a utility provider or fuel company, offering relief when it’s needed most.

Last fall alone, Pennsylvania received $208 million in LIHEAP funding. If this program is cut, it would leave our Commonwealth with an impossible choice: find a way to replace that funding or see this essential program disappear entirely.

At a time when costs continue to rise – electricity, gas, oil, groceries, health care, and housing, this would be devastating for many families in our community who are already struggling to make ends meet.

I encourage you to reach out to your federal elected representatives and make your voice heard. Programs like LIHEAP, SNAP, and affordable health care are lifelines for so many, and it’s important they continue to be funded in the federal budget.

Know a college student looking for an internship over summer break? We’re hiring summer legislative interns for my district office in Brookhaven. All interns are paid and schedules can be built around the end of spring semester and the start of fall semester. We’re accepting resumes by email at RepKrueger@pahouse.net, or you can give us a call for more information.

I joined Rep. Jennifer O’Mara, Chair of the PA House Southeast Delegation, as she hosted the House Majority Policy Committee at Springfield Fire Company for a hearing on how private equity is impacting our firefighters.

What we heard was deeply concerning. Over the past decade, private equity firms have consolidated much of the fire truck manufacturing industry, driving up costs and increasing delivery times. Fire trucks that once cost between $300,000 and $400,000 can now exceed $1 million, which is putting a significant strain on our local fire companies and municipalities.

At the same time, departments are required to replace equipment on a set schedule, making these rising costs even more challenging. This is creating real pressure on the ability of our first responders to access the tools they need to keep our communities safe.

Unfortunately, this is not the first time we’ve seen the harmful impact of private equity here in Delaware County. We’ve watched it impact our health care system when Prospect Medical Holdings took over the Crozer hospital system and closed our hospitals, leaving behind real consequences for patients, workers, and our community.

This issue is about people not profits. I’m grateful to the local fire company leaders and experts who testified and helped shed light on the challenges our fire companies are facing.

Last week, I was happy to join Senator John Kane to present Chester Township with over $1.15 million in state grant funding to support important local projects.

These investments will help purchase new public works equipment, improve Williams Circle Park, enhance pedestrian safety along Powell and Bridgewater Roads, and fund critical stormwater infrastructure upgrades.

This funding is about making our community safer, stronger, and better equipped to meet everyday needs, from maintaining our roads to improving public spaces and protecting our neighborhoods from flooding.

I’m proud to partner with our local elected leaders to bring these resources home to Delaware County and continue investing in the priorities that matter most to our residents.

Tax season is here, and the April 15 deadline is quickly approaching. For more information on how to file your PA taxes, you can visit HERE.

Don’t forget we have a NEW Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit you may be eligible for this year.

If you qualify for the federal Earned Income Tax Credit, you automatically qualify to save an additional 10% break on your state taxes. That's money you can spend on groceries, childcare, or any other expense.

You could earn up to $805 with this tax credit. You can use this online calculator to estimate your credit.

Every election is a chance to make your voice heard so don’t forget to vote in the May 19 Primary election. May 4 is the last day to register to vote. Click here to register, request a mail in ballot, find your polling place and more.

Mail-in ballots are a simple, safe, and secure way to make sure your voice is heard. To request your mail-in ballot, visit votespa.com.

Once you receive it, fill it out and mail it or drop it in a drop box, or submit it to the Delaware County Election Office. If you plan to mail your ballot, be sure to do so by May 12 to ensure it arrives on time. Don’t risk your vote not being counted.

Your mail-in ballot must be RECEIVED by 8 PM on May 19.

The latest grant opportunities from the state have been released. My office is happy to connect you with government funding opportunities like these, so please reach out if you have a question or need a letter of support.

Woodlyn

Thursday, April 9

1 PM – 3 PM

DCHA Kinder Park – Building 4 Community Room

1857 Constitution Ave., Woodlyn

Chester Township

Tuesday, April 14

1 PM – 3 PM

DCHA Fairgrounds - Bridgeview Apartments

1301 Peterson St., Chester Township

Upland Borough

Tuesday, April 21

1 PM – 3 PM

MacQueen Hall – 224 Castle Ave., Upland

Upcoming PA MEDI Events

Medicare 101 – IN-PERSON

Tuesday, April 21

6:30 PM – 7:30 PM

Ridley Township Public Library

Medicare: Cost Sharing – Webinar Event

Tuesday, May 19

10 AM – 11 AM

Learn about savings programs, extra help programs, and PACE/PACENET to help you offset your costs.

Preregistration is required to receive the Zoom link.

Call 610-534-6880 or email RepKrueger@pahouse.net

Medicare: Supplemental Plans -Webinar Event

Tuesday, June 16

6:30 PM- 7:30 PM

Learn how Medigap/Supplemental Plans can help with the 20% that Medicare does not cover.

Preregistration is required to receive the Zoom link.

Call 610-534-6880 or email RepKrueger@pahouse.net

Criminal Record Clearing Clinic

Thursday, April 16

6 PM – 8 PM

Brookhaven Municipal Building

2 Cambridge Rd., Brookhaven, PA 19015

You must register for this event by calling 610-534-6880

Pet Expo

Saturday, April 18

10 AM – 1 PM

Upland Park

280 6th St., Brookhaven, PA 19015

There will be free vaccines for dogs and cats and free microchipping for dogs (Delco residents only).

Supplies are limited and will be on a first-come, first-served basis, starting at 10 AM.

American Red Cross Blood Drive

Thursday, April 30

9 AM – 2 PM

Aston Community Center

3270 Concord Rd., Aston, PA 19014

One donation can save up to three lives. Your help will fill a critical need for blood donation.

To register visit here.

License Plate Restoration Event

Thursday, May 7

4 PM – 6 PM

Ridley Township Building

100 E. MacDade Blvd.

Folsom, PA 19033

Registration is required. Call my office at 610-534-6880 or email RepKrueger@pahouse.net to register.

Spring Shred, Electronic Recycling, and Drug Take Back

Saturday, May 16

9 AM – 12 PM

Upland Park

280 6th St., Brookhaven, PA 19015

All electronic waste must be registered before the event by visiting HERE.

Eligible electronics -

• • Devices covered under PA law: TVs, computers, monitors, computer peripherals that can plug into a computer: printers, keyboards, mice, networking equipment, fax/scanner/printer all-in-one devices
  • Non-covered devices such as all other household electronic devices such as stereos, radios, toasters, gaming systems, phones, cell phones, PDAs, handheld household electronic tools, VCR/Blue-ray players

Paper Shredding – no books, magazines, binders, binder clips. Limit 4 boxes per person.

Medication Take Back – any unwanted medication, except liquids

Senior Wills Clinic

Thursday, May 21

10 AM – 2 PM

Wilson Center – Chester Township

1150 Engle St.

Chester, PA 19013

For those looking for updates on the future of Crozer Chester Medical Center, the new ownership group will be hosting a community town hall on Tuesday, April 14 at 6 PM at Widener University.

Chariot Equities will share information about redevelopment plans and provide an opportunity for community feedback.

If you’re interested in attending, you can learn more and register HERE.

Apprenticeship & Trades Fair

Wednesday, April 15

6 PM – 8 PM

DCIU – Morton

200 Yales Ave., Morton

Students in grades 7 – 12 are invited to come out and learn about careers, trades and labor jobs.

Pennsylvania State Capitol
512-E Main Capitol Building

 PO Box 202161
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2161
(717) 705-2567

District Office

115 E. Brookhaven Rd.
Brookhaven, PA 19015
(610) 534-6880

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