Feb. 6 Email: An encouraging budget proposal to help Pennsylvanians and lower costs

Rep. Jennifer M. O'Mara February 7, 2026

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Dear Neighbor,

I was encouraged by Gov. Shapiro’s fourth budget address this week, as he outlined his priorities and goals for this upcoming fiscal year while highlighting achievements from this past year. We are the only state in the Northeast that has a growing economy, and the state brought in $417 million more in revenue than anticipated last year.

Overall, the governor emphasized the need for continued investment in our communities. Highlights include:

A new Federal Response Fund with $100 million seed money to be prepared to fight for the tax dollars Pennsylvanians are owed by the federal government
$2.5 million for adult literacy and education
Responsible standards for data centers to control energy costs, require transparency and community engagement, ensure the training and hiring of local workers, and protect the environment
Protecting our children from AI with age verification and regulations around notification when self-harm is brought up
A $110 million increase for childcare recruitment and retention
Raising the minimum wage to $15 to be competitive with our neighboring states
A statewide cap on rental application fees
A $1 billion investment in a critical infrastructure fund for housing and other projects

I'm looking forward to working with my colleagues as we work to help Pennsylvanians and lower costs for everyone.

100 years of celebrating Black history

This month marks the 100th anniversary of Black History Month, and it’s particularly important now to recognize the struggle for freedom and the many contributions of Black Americans to our shared history. For more info and programs and events dedicated to Black history in Delco, visit The Foundation for Delaware County’s Web site here.

My energy efficiency bill heads to the Senate

I’m proud to report that the House this week approved my bipartisan bill to set energy efficiency and water conservation standards for commercial and residential appliances sold in PA. H.B. 660 can play a critical role in helping our state address climate change, reduce air pollution, conserve water resources, and save residents and businesses money on their utility bills.

An analysis of my proposal shows that these energy efficiency standards could make a significant impact. They would reduce climate pollution by hundreds of thousands of tons and save consumers $291 million on utility bills each year. Appliances that meet these standards are already on the market and are competitively priced.

The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration, and I urge senators to protect the health, environment, and pocketbooks of Pennsylvanians by sending it to the governor for his signature.

Read more about the legislation here.

My bill to expand mental health services advances in Senate

Pennsylvania desperately needs greater access to mental health providers, so I’m proud to report that my bill to expand mental health services in Pennsylvania advanced in the Senate this week. H.B. 668 cleared the Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee unanimously; it now heads to the full Senate for consideration. It passed the House last year with strong bipartisan support.

The bill would authorize Pennsylvania to join the National Counseling Compact, an agreement among participating states that allows licensed counselors to practice across state lines. I’m hopeful that we will be able to send this bill to the Governor’s desk soon!

Immigration resources and rights

I want to make sure Pennsylvania residents and businesses know their rights about immigration enforcement operations and are aware of where to find legal resources if they need them.

You can find the Shapiro Administration’s guidance for knowing your rights here. The Pennsylvania Immigration Resource Center offers legal services to vulnerable people, and you can learn more about their work here.

If you or someone you know needs help with a federal agency, here is the contact info for reaching Delco’s federal officials:

U.S. Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon’s office can be reached at 610-626-2020 or by visiting scanlon.house.gov. You can start a case file to address an issue with a federal agency by filling out the Privacy Release Form linked on her website. A listing of her satellite office hours can be found here.

You can reach Sen. David McCormick’s office at 202-224-6324 or visit his site for help with a federal agency here. You can reach Sen. John Fetterman’s office at 202-224-4254 or visit his site for help with an agency here.

Drop off children’s books at my office

My office is participating in a local children’s book drive to help put books in the hands of Delco children. We are a drop-off site for the Delco Book Bank’s Easter Basket & Summer Reading Book Drives. So feel welcome to drop off new or gently used children’s books at my office!

Tax season reminder: new tax credit for workers who need it most

?With tax season officially underway, I encourage eligible workers to take advantage of new state tax credits championed by Gov. Shapiro and House Democrats that deliver meaningful tax relief to those who need it most.

Eligible taxpayers can now claim the Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit (WPTC), created in the 2025-26 budget which I supported last year. Modeled after the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), the WPTC can provide up to $805 in tax relief.

The credit is expected to deliver $193 million in tax savings to approximately 940,000 Pennsylvanians this year. Anyone who qualifies for the federal EITC automatically qualifies for the state credit, helping to put more money back into the pockets of working Pennsylvanians. Visit pa.gov/wptc for more information and to check eligibility using an online calculator.

Applications open for home heating help

Applications for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program are open. Through the program, you can apply for a cash grant to help pay your heating bill—from $200 to $1,000 based on your household size, income, and fuel type.

For more information, click here. You can also contact my office if you need help applying for LIHEAP or need help with any utility-related issues.