My next 'Meet The Rep' event is Dec. 10; Pennsylvania-Ireland Trade Commission bill signed into law

Rep. Mary Jo Daley December 6, 2024 | 11:33 AM

PA Representative Mary Jo Daley banner image

Dear Neighbor,

If there’s something state-government related on your mind, my “Meet the Rep” events are a good time to sit down together and talk!

Come visit my next “Meet the Rep” event at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10, in the American Legion Room at the Narberth Community Building, 80 Windsor Ave., Narberth, PA 19072. The room is in the same building as the Narberth Library.

We’ll talk about legislative issues facing Pennsylvania, as well as ways that the commonwealth can help make life easier for you through various programs and services.

An RSVP is required. Please email my office at RepMaryJoDaley@pahouse.net or call (610) 832-1679 to RSVP.

I will also be participating in a Legal Aid expungement clinic event on Thursday, Dec. 12 with State Sen. Amanda Cappelletti’s office. Join us from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in Narberth Borough Hall’s multipurpose room at 100 Conway Ave., 2nd Floor, Narberth.

We’ll discuss ways that Pennsylvanians can clear their criminal records and put you on the path to a legal expungement.

Please RSVP here to let us know if you will make it.

Pennsylvania-Ireland Trade Commission bill signed into law

I’m proud to report that last month, my bill establishing both the Pennsylvania-Ireland Trade Commission and the Pennsylvania-Ireland Trade Commission Fund was signed into law by Gov. Josh Shapiro.

House Bill 2132, which passed with Republican and Democratic support, will boost Pennsylvania’s economic prospects by fostering international trade and cooperation with Ireland.

Pennsylvania has a rich history of innovation, industriousness, and cultural diversity. By establishing a trade commission specifically focused on Ireland, we can now tap into the unique opportunities that this partnership presents. Ireland, known for its robust economy and advanced technology sector, offers a gateway for Pennsylvania businesses to expand their reach and increase their competitiveness on the global stage.

You can read more about the bill behind the law here.

$175,000 state grant awarded for Deaver Farm at Lankenau

I’m pleased to share that my office helped deliver a $175,000 state Department of Community and Economic Development grant to Deaver Farm at Lankenau Medical Center.

Established in 2014 by Greener Partners and Main Line Health, the Delema G. Deaver Wellness Farm is a half-acre farm that hosts campaigns on healthy eating and the importance of fresh food. The food produced by the farm benefits local students, hospital patients, and medical residents. The farm also provides a green space near the hospital and is open to the public, patients, employees, and visitors.

Having visited the farm and seen for myself just how much it provides for the community, I was more than happy to connect with DCED and help secure a substantial investment for this one-of-a-kind amenity. The amazing advocates at Deaver Farm worked hard to apply for this funding, and their commitment reflects highly on our region.

Thanks to this funding, Deaver Farm can continue advancing its mission to heal patients, deliver care to its neighbors, and provide education to the thousands of people who visit.

The farm is a hands-on classroom for more than 10,000 students who come to the Health Education Center at Lankenau Medical Center. In addition, medical students tour the farm and learn about the role of fresh vegetables and healthy eating in preventive care.

Conservation grants awarded in the 148th Legislative District

Congratulations are also in order for several local recipients of Department of Conservation and Natural Resources grants.

The following projects were funded:

Lower Merion Township, for Penn Wynne Library Reading Garden: $141,300.
Funds will be used for construction of a pedestrian walkway, installation of stormwater management measures, ADA access, landscaping, project signage, and other site improvements.

Pennsylvania Horticultural Society: $1 million.
Funds will be used to coordinate urban and community forestry in the city of Philadelphia and southeastern Pennsylvania, engage communities in planting trees, and build local tree stewardship capacity in Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties.

Whitemarsh Township: $60,000.
The award will fund the Comprehensive Recreation, Park, Open Space, Greenways, and Trails Plan.

These state conservation grants mark a significant win for Montgomery County, empowering us to enhance and protect our natural resources for all to enjoy. These funds will help us create safer, more accessible parks, preserve vital habitats, and inspire a deeper commitment to conservation within our community.

Ribbon cutting at The Hub

It was such a pleasure to attend the AIM Academy Global Innovation Hub Ribbon Cutting this month!

The Hub fully represents AIM’s mission to foster innovation, collaboration, and future-ready learning for its students. It was a pleasure helping them connect with state funding to assist in their renovations.

Grounded in the science and research of language-based learning differences, AIM Academy’s commitment to academic excellence and the belief that each student’s strengths should be encouraged to flourish has made it a leader in the field for students who learn differently.

New wildlife corridor report calls for more detailed reporting

I am pleased to announce that the report, The Current Status of Conservation Connectivity in Pennsylvania, is available at https://lbfc.legis.state.pa.us/Resources/Documents/Reports/780.pdf.

The report was released this year, after being completed by the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee (LBFC), as directed by my H.R. 87.

Conservation corridors, also known as wildlife corridors, are paths that join two or more areas of wildlife habitat, allowing for safe passage from one area to another, typically via over- and underpasses on roads, but also through waterways and wetlands.

The purpose of the study was to determine how best to preserve and reconnect these habitats, reduce the number of wildlife-vehicle collisions, and maintain and elevate Pennsylvania as one of the nation’s top destinations for outdoor recreation.

The report notes that Pennsylvania led the country in animal-collision insurance claims in fiscal year 2023-24.

You can read more about the study here, including what to do if your vehicle collides with a deer in Pennsylvania.

Governor directs federal funding to SEPTA

Last week, Gov. Josh Shapiro took executive action to ensure that those who rely on SEPTA can continue to access safe, reliable, and affordable public transit.

To address a funding gap at SEPTA, Shapiro directed PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll to redirect $153 million in federal funds to SEPTA. This transfer of federal funds will prevent service cuts and a planned 21 percent fare hike, maintaining operations for 800,000 daily riders in southeastern Pennsylvania through at least July 2025.

However, this executive action only provides critical short-term relief, so we need to focus on securing a long-term funding solution through the state budget or a stand-alone piece of legislation. This shift uses federal dollars allocated for projects not yet under construction, ensuring that there is no disruption to ongoing infrastructure projects.

Calling all artists, craftspeople: PA wants your work

The State Museum of Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania Heritage Foundation invite artists and craftspeople to submit applications to exhibit their work in Art of the State 2025. Now in its 58th year, this prestigious juried exhibition boasts a tradition of presenting highly creative art by Pennsylvanians, chosen by a distinguished panel of jurors.

Art of the State 2025’s call for entry is open to Pennsylvania residents who are at least 18 years of age. Artists may submit work in one or more of five categories: painting, work on paper, sculpture, craft, and photography/digital media. Entries to Art of the State 2025 must be submitted online.

Additional information and the link to enter are available at www.statemuseumpa.org/callforentry. The application deadline is Friday, Jan. 17 at 11:59 p.m.

Pennie Open Enrollment runs to Jan. 15

Pennie’s Open Enrollment Period for the 2025 coverage year will run until Jan. 15.

During this period, individuals and families can enroll in health insurance plans, make changes to their existing coverage, or renew their current plans. It is a critical time to ensure you have the necessary health coverage for the upcoming year.

Pennie can connect you to local, certified experts that can walk you through every step of the process. Find assistance by visiting the connect page at www.pennie.com.

For more information on Pennie, visit pennie.com or call Pennie Customer Service at 1-844-844-8040.

Heating-bill help available through LIHEAP

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps families living on low incomes in the form of a cash grant to help pay their heating bills. Households in immediate danger of being without heat can also qualify for a crisis grant. Both are grants that do not have to be repaid.

There are two ways to apply for LIHEAP:

Online: Apply for benefits using COMPASS.
Paper: Download and print a paper application, fill it out, and return it to your local county assistance office.

More information can be found here: LIHEAP (pa.gov).