April 4 e-mail: Pennsylvania women deserve equal pay

Rep. Jennifer M. O'Mara April 7, 2025 | 9:20 AM

PA Representative Jennifer O'Mara's banner image

Dear Neighbor,

In a Harrisburg committee meeting last week, one of my male colleagues said I didn’t have the “experience” to advance my Equal Pay bill with Rep. Melissa Shusterman. I corrected the record and shared why I will always fight for women and working families across Pennsylvania.

Our Equal Pay Law was enacted in 1959 to end workplace gender discrimination. At that time, women earned, ironically, 59-cents per each dollar that men earned. As a legislator, working mother and Pennsylvania woman, I’m not afraid to stand up and say that 66 years later, this law – as written – does not work for today’s female workforce. Women deserve equal pay and fair workplace protections under state law.

I have consistently held a job since I was 13 years old, largely to help support my family in the aftermath of my dad’s death. My working-class background empowers me to advocate for policies that uplift working women, knowing firsthand the importance of economic security, and drives my determination to ensure that every woman has opportunities to thrive and earn financial security.

I’m proud to report the bill passed out of the House Labor & Industry Committee and now heads to the full House for consideration. Click below to hear my remarks on this bill.

Apprenticeship Fair TOMORROW

Students in grades 8 to 12 and their parents are invited to attend my apprenticeship fair with Senator Kearney and DCIU tomorrow from 10 am to 12 pm. Stop by DCIU’s Morton campus to talk with various apprenticeship and trades programs to learn more about options after high school. I hope to see you there!

House passes my bill to reduce ID renewal burdens for Pennsylvanians with disabilities, military families

My bill to increase access to photo identification for Pennsylvanians with disabilities and active-duty military personnel passed the House with overwhelming bipartisan support.

House Bill 410 focuses on the fact that state-issued photo ID is crucial, but for people living with a disability, disabled veterans, and military families activated overseas or out of state – going to the DMV can be overly complicated. This legislation works to ease the burden of ID/driver’s license renewal for those with persistent health conditions and military families, allowing them to maintain their licenses or IDs from home and continue their daily lives without this significant hurdle.

Click here to learn more about my bill, which now awaits consideration in the Senate.

$2.35 million awarded to Springfield

Recently, Senator Tim Kearney and I stopped by the Springfield Township Commissioner's meeting to celebrate three recent grants they received from the state. The projects funded include new police vehicles, a new park, and traffic lights and timing modernization along State Road. Always happy to bring state funds back to the district for important projects like these.

Upcoming road closure

Starting Monday, April 7, PennDOT will begin soundwall removal and replacement work on the ramp from U.S. 1 North (Media Bypass/State Road) to Route 320 (Sproul Road) in Springfield Township.

What to Expect:

?The ramp will be closed 24/7 until August 15.

??The updated traffic plan will allow cars to access Route 320 north of Collins Drive

??Collins Drive will remain accessible, and through traffic on U.S. 1 North will continue as usual.

? Plan for Delays: Expect backups and extra travel time in the area.

LIHEAP extension

Do you need help paying winter’s heating bills? There’s still time to apply for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program. The program provides a one-time payment directly to your utility provider or fuel company to be credited on your bill. The application deadline has been extended, and they will now be accepted through April 18. For more information, visit the LIHEAP website: https://www.pa.gov/services/dhs/apply-for-the-low-income-home-energy-assistance-program-liheap.html.

Time for Pennsylvania to pass the CROWN

Last session week, the House passed the PA CROWN Act (Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair). This bill aims to prohibit discrimination based on a person’s hair type, texture or style - a form of discrimination that disproportionately affects Black Pennsylvanians. I was honored to vote in favor of this bill to prevent Pennsylvanians of color from being targeted, harassed and denied access to opportunities based on the way their hair naturally grows from their head. The CROWN Act passed the House with strong bipartisan support and now awaits consideration in the state Senate.

You can join the movement to end race-based hair discrimination by signing this petition that urges our state Senate to bring the CROWN Act to a vote.

Our open house was pure gold – thanks to you!

Thank you to everyone who attended my office’s St. Paddy’s Day Open House! We had a great turnout and I enjoyed all of the conversations and questions from constituents across the district, including one joyful check presentation to Morton Police Department!

I was especially heartened to see so many folks come in and receive immediate assistance for their concerns. My team and I value public service and we feel so lucky to be in the business of serving you and your families.

Social services fair

Katherine and I stopped by Delaware County Community College for their social services fair last week. It was great to chat with students and other vendors. Thank you for having my office be a part of such an important event!

Virtual finical aid assistance

Tune into PHEAA’s free financial literacy webinars for financial aid planning with a Q&A.

The webinars will be held Tuesday, April 8 at noon and Thursday, April 24 at 6:30 p.m. To register for these webinars or find more information on other webinar events offered by PHEAA, please go to https://www.pheaa.org/virtual.

Upcoming events

Apprenticeship Fair with Senator Kearney and DCIU
Saturday, April 5, 10 a.m. to Noon
DCIU Morton Campus

Swarthmore Food Truckathon
Sunday, April 6, 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Swarthmore Towne Center, Park Avenue

Shred Event with Senator Kearney
Saturday, April 12, 9 a.m. to Noon
Springfield Mall

Senior Breakfast
Friday, April 25, 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Media VFW
Call the office at 610-544-9878 to register

Delco DMVA’s Veterans Resource Fair
Saturday, June 7 from 12 p.m. – 3 p.m.
First African Baptist Church, 901 Clifton Ave. in Sharon Hill
*Click here to register as a vendor.