News Center

O’Mara, Pashinski, Comitta and advocates discuss Hospital Closure Reform

(May 03, 2023) Rep. Jennifer M. O'Mara

Pashinski’s and O’Mara’s legislation, H.B. 158, and Comitta’s S.B. 184, would double the time in which a hospital system must notify state and local agencies of a planned closure from 90 to 180 days Read more

 

BI-WEEKLY E-MAIL (April 21): What’s happening with Rep. O’Mara

(Apr 21, 2023) Rep. Jennifer M. O'Mara

I’m happy to share an exciting office update with you. Please join me in welcoming my new District Office Director, Rose! Read more

 

O’Mara applauds DDAP investment in new recovery services for southeast PA

(Apr 13, 2023) Rep. Jennifer M. O'Mara

MARPLE, April 13 – State House Democratic Southeast Delegation Chair Jennifer O’Mara said today that she welcomes the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs’ investment of $4 million into regional recovery hubs across the commonwealth. Announced by DDAP on Wednesday , The Council of Southeast Pennsylvania Inc. will receive $500,000 for the establishment of a regional recovery hub covering Philadelphia, Montgomery, Bucks, Berks, Chester, Lancaster, Delaware and Schuylkill counties as part of the investment. “As we fight new stronger drugs with fentanyl and other deadly characteristics, addiction services are sorely needed across Southeast PA,” said O’Mara, D-Delaware. “DDAP’s investment of state funding brings our tax dollars back to our communities – providing hope in recovery for not only individuals but entire communities now reeling from the effects of addiction. “On behalf of the region’s state government representatives, I applaud the Shapiro administration for its forward-thinking approach to a problem facing us all.” Each grantee will create a hub-and-spoke model to provide recovery supports in their region. The “hubs” will support community-driven services that will serve as “spokes.” The hubs will provide technical assistance and collaborate with a variety of community entities, sectors and systems to enhance a Read more

 

Rep. O'Mara's April 2023 print newsletter

(Apr 13, 2023) Rep. Jennifer M. O'Mara

Rep. Jennifer O'Mara's 6-page print newsletter featuring updates on legislation she's working on, the recent commonwealth court ruling on education funding, upcoming events and more. Read more

 

BI-WEEKLY E-MAIL (April 6): Around the district with Rep. O'Mara

(Apr 07, 2023) Rep. Jennifer M. O'Mara

With Good Friday, Easter and Passover happening this weekend, please note that my district office will be closed on Friday, April 7. Read more

 

BI-WEEKLY E-MAIL (March 24): Celebrations around the District

(Mar 24, 2023) Rep. Jennifer M. O'Mara

After the parade festivities, I was thrilled to present Springfield Fire Company with a grant for $50,000 to replace the exhaust system inside the station. Read more

 

O’Mara announces $1.6M in state grants benefiting local parks, first responders, and municipalities

(Mar 16, 2023) Rep. Jennifer M. O'Mara

“These grants will improve our area’s outdoor recreation options for people of all ages while strengthening ADA accessibility. I’m happy to help bring these awards home and see how they benefit residents throughout the district,” O’Mara said. Read more

 

O’Mara secures $50K grant for local fire company

(Mar 13, 2023) Rep. Jennifer M. O'Mara

SPRINGFIELD, March 13 – State Rep. Jennifer O’Mara presented Springfield Fire Company with a commemorative $50,000 check celebrating the company’s recent grant award. The grant came from the Department of Community and Economic Development and will go toward replacing the Plymovent system inside the station. This system captures the trucks’ exhaust emissions, ensuring clean air for the company’s firefighters. Any remaining funds may be used toward equipment costs for the company. “Since I’ve been in office, one of my top priorities has been ensuring Delco’s first responders can do their jobs safely and effectively. They sacrifice so much to keep us safe during our times of crisis, therefore, they deserve our endless thanks and support,” O’Mara said. A photo of O’Mara presenting the check following the Springfield St. Patrick’s Day parade can be found on her legislative Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=674445177825520&set=a.384876133449094 . O’Mara was instrumental in bringing this funding home and wrote a letter of support for the Springfield Fire Company. Read more

 

O’Mara receives committee assignments for new legislative session

(Mar 10, 2023) Rep. Jennifer M. O'Mara

HARRISBURG, March 10 – State Rep. Jennifer O’Mara, D-Delaware, today announced her committee assignments for the 2023-24 legislative session. She will return to three committees she’s served on previously and begin work on one new one. O’Mara has been appointed to serve on the following PA House standing committees: Labor and Industry: Reviews legislation on issues such as the state’s minimum wage, unemployment compensation, workers’ compensation, building and construction codes, and workplace health and safety. The committee is responsible for oversight of the Department of Labor and Industry, State Civil Service Commission, Labor Relations Board, Unemployment Compensation Appeals Board of Review, Industrial Board, Workers’ Compensation Appeal Board, and the Office for the Deaf and Hearing Impaired. Tourism and Economic and Recreational Development: Reviews legislation that pertains to the state’s large tourism industry. The committee has jurisdiction over the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. The committee’s subcommittees include Arts and Entertainment, Recreation, and Travel Promotion. Transportation: Reviews legislation relating to all modes of transportation in the commonwealth, including highways, airports, train service, public transit, ports, the Turnpike Commission, the State Transportation Commission and the operations of the Department of Transportation. Read more

 

BI-WEEKLY E-MAIL (March 10): HERstory made in the Pennsylvania House

(Mar 10, 2023) Rep. Jennifer M. O'Mara

This last week in Harrisburg has been a productive one. We elected Speaker Joanna McClinton, adopted House rules, and I received my committee assignments. Read more

 

Senator Kearney and Representative O’Mara Applaud Commonwealth Court Decision on Reliability Station in Marple

(Mar 10, 2023) Rep. Jennifer M. O'Mara

While this decision may not be what community members may have wanted in full, we applaud the Commonwealth Court for holding PECO and the PUC accountable for the potential environmental impacts that the reliability station will have on Marple and its residents. Read more

 

Pashinski, O’Mara re-introduce legislation to reform hospital closure process

(Mar 08, 2023) Rep. Jennifer M. O'Mara

HARRISBURG, March 8 – State Reps. Eddie Day Pashinski, D-Luzerne, and Jennifer O’Mara, D-Delaware, introduced legislation recently that would bring more accountability to the process of hospital closures, ensuring that Pennsylvanians can receive uninterrupted care and that hospital systems honor their duty to their patients, staff, and the communities they serve. The legislation is a companion to state Sen. Carolyn Comitta’s S.B. 184, introduced in January. “When hospitals and health care facilities close or drastically reduce services with little or no notice, their patients, doctors, nurses, and staff suffer,” Pashinski said. “We witnessed this in Luzerne County last year with the sudden announcement and subsequent closure of First Hospital without any apparent plans in place to provide for continuity of care or help their staff transition. This bipartisan, bicameral legislation would be a significant step toward ensuring health care facilities planning to close provide local communities and government agencies the time, information, and opportunity they need to adequately address these significant impacts and plan for related challenges.” “When a community hospital closes down, hundreds of thousands of people suddenly need to figure out how to access emergency health care. This especially applies to maternity wards, because if one of only two local labor and delivery units moves 30 minutes away, it creates a health Read more

 

BI-WEEKLY E-MAIL (Feb.24): Talking about the mental health stigma

(Feb 24, 2023) Rep. Jennifer M. O'Mara

You may have seen news articles recently about U.S. Sen. John Fetterman’s decision to check himself into a hospital to be treated for clinical depression. Read more

 

O’Mara announces over $100,000 in grants supporting emergency responders

(Feb 10, 2023) Rep. Jennifer M. O'Mara

SPRINGFIELD, Feb. 10 — State Rep. Jennifer O’Mara today announced that six emergency service companies in her Delaware County district received a total of $103,089 in grant awards. The funding comes from the Office of the State Fire Commissioner’s Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services Grant Program. This program is open to volunteer and career fire companies, emergency medical services and rescue squads. O’Mara works with departments in her district every year to help bring this funding home. Awards were distributed as follows: Marple Township Ambulance Corps: $10,000 Media Fire Hook & Ladder Company No. 1 – Fire: $15,000 Media Fire Hook & Ladder Company No. 1 – EMS: $10,000 Morton Rutledge Fire Co.: $13,089 Rose Tree Fire Co. No. 1: $15,000 Springfield Fire Co.: $15,000 Swarthmore Fire & Protective Association – Fire: $15,000 Swarthmore Fire & Protective Association – EMS: $10,000 “Since taking office five years ago, one of my top priorities has been ensuring that our community’s first responders can safely and effectively do their jobs,” O’Mara said. “First responders risk their own safety and well-being every day in order to help people in crisis, so they deserve all the support we’re able to give them.” O’Mara said grant funds may be used toward facility Read more

 

Miss my latest Telephone Town Hall? Catch up on the discussion right here!

(Feb 10, 2023) Rep. Jennifer M. O'Mara

Listen to what our friends & neighbors had to say about the issues that matter here in Delco! Read more

 

BI-WEEKLY E-MAIL (Feb. 10): Recognizing National Gun Violence Survivors Week

(Feb 10, 2023) Rep. Jennifer M. O'Mara

February 1 – 7 was recognized as National Gun Violence Survivors Week. Read more

 

O'Mara: State laws can prevent tragedies without penalizing responsible gun owners

(Feb 02, 2023) Rep. Jennifer M. O'Mara

In honor of National Gun Violence Survivors Week, I urge everyone to open their minds and their hearts to how we can stop this epidemic and save lives. Read more

 

BI-WEEKLY E-MAIL (Jan. 25): Happening Thursday: Swarthmore Community Meeting with PECO

(Jan 25, 2023) Rep. Jennifer M. O'Mara

As a result of the advocacy of countless residents and requests from state and local elected officials, PECO has agreed to hold an in-person town hall. Read more

 

BI-WEEKLY E-MAIL (Jan. 13): Starting a New Legislative Session

(Jan 13, 2023) Rep. Jennifer M. O'Mara

Last week, on Jan. 2, I took the oath of office for the third time. I am immensely honored to kick off my fifth year working for you. Read more

 

O’Mara takes oath of office, commencing third term

(Jan 03, 2023) Rep. Jennifer M. O'Mara

HARRISBURG, Jan. 3 – State Rep. Jennifer O’Mara took the oath of office at the state Capitol today, beginning her third term representing Pennsylvania’s 165th Legislative District in Delaware County and second term as chairwoman of the House Democratic Caucus’ Southeast Delegation. “I’ve served the people of Delaware County for the last four years and I’m proud and humbled to once again bring their voice into our state legislature,” O’Mara said. “Even though today marks the first day of a new session, I’m already hard at work drafting legislation.” This afternoon’s swearing-in ceremony marked the beginning of the 2023-24 session of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. O’Mara said that she will continue to focus on advocating for paid family leave and gun violence prevention, increasing access to mental health services, preserving the commonwealth’s environment, addressing the student debt crisis, and supporting veterans and first responders. She expects to receive her committee assignments later this month. After last year’s reapportionment process, the 165th Legislative District consists of parts of Marple Township, Springfield and Upper Providence townships, as well as Media, Morton and Swarthmore boroughs. Each member represents approximately 64,000 Pennsylvanians. Photos from the swearing-in ceremony will be available on Read more

 

O’Mara, Pashinski, Comitta and advocates discuss Hospital Closure Reform
May 03, 2023

BI-WEEKLY E-MAIL (April 21): What’s happening with Rep. O’Mara
Apr 21, 2023

O’Mara applauds DDAP investment in new recovery services for southeast PA
Apr 13, 2023

Rep. O'Mara's April 2023 print newsletter
Apr 13, 2023

BI-WEEKLY E-MAIL (April 6): Around the district with Rep. O'Mara
Apr 07, 2023

BI-WEEKLY E-MAIL (March 24): Celebrations around the District
Mar 24, 2023

O’Mara announces $1.6M in state grants benefiting local parks, first responders, and municipalities
Mar 16, 2023

O’Mara secures $50K grant for local fire company
Mar 13, 2023

O’Mara receives committee assignments for new legislative session
Mar 10, 2023

BI-WEEKLY E-MAIL (March 10): HERstory made in the Pennsylvania House
Mar 10, 2023

Senator Kearney and Representative O’Mara Applaud Commonwealth Court Decision on Reliability Station in Marple
Mar 10, 2023

Pashinski, O’Mara re-introduce legislation to reform hospital closure process
Mar 08, 2023

BI-WEEKLY E-MAIL (Feb.24): Talking about the mental health stigma
Feb 24, 2023

O’Mara announces over $100,000 in grants supporting emergency responders
Feb 10, 2023

Miss my latest Telephone Town Hall? Catch up on the discussion right here!
Feb 10, 2023

BI-WEEKLY E-MAIL (Feb. 10): Recognizing National Gun Violence Survivors Week
Feb 10, 2023

O'Mara: State laws can prevent tragedies without penalizing responsible gun owners
Feb 02, 2023

BI-WEEKLY E-MAIL (Jan. 25): Happening Thursday: Swarthmore Community Meeting with PECO
Jan 25, 2023

BI-WEEKLY E-MAIL (Jan. 13): Starting a New Legislative Session
Jan 13, 2023

O’Mara takes oath of office, commencing third term
Jan 03, 2023