I am very glad to share that Pennsylvania is finally making significant progress on our vaccine distribution. I’ve heard your frustrations and concerns over the last few months, and I’ve shared in the majority of them. Read more
Since my last email to you, there have been two mass shootings in our country. They occurred within a week of one another. One targeted Asian-American women and the other took place inside a grocery store, and that assailant’s motive remains unclear. Read more
March 24 marks the extra amount of time into the new year that women must work until in order to earn what a man made the previous year. Read more
A letter penned by Reps. Kim and O'Mara to Members of Asian-American Pacific Islander Communities in light of the shootings in Atlanta. Read more
HARRISBURG, March 17 -- State Reps. Melissa Shusterman, Jennifer O’Mara, Donna Bullock and Tina Davis will host a virtual news conference to discuss the gender wage gap and their legislation to help close it on Equal Pay Day, March 24. The public may livestream the event at 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 24 by visiting PAHouse.com . “We’re going to talk about pay inequality on March 24 because this day marks how far into the year the average woman must work to earn what the average man earns in the previous year, regardless of experience or job type,” said Shusterman, D-Chester/Montgomery. “Equal Pay Day should be January 1 for everybody. Pay disparities among women, especially women of color whose Equal Pay Day does not come until later in the year, cause them to annually miss out on tens of thousands of dollars. It is long overdue that we close the gender wage gap.” “On average, a woman who works full-time in Pennsylvania earns 20% less than our commonwealth’s working men,” said O’Mara, D-Delaware. “It’s time that we discuss what contributes to this wage gap and how we can close it so Pennsylvania women can better support themselves and their families. Our commonwealth has not updated its equal pay law in half a century, so this is a topic we desperately need to revisit to ensure that working women are protected.” “I know women who were paid less than men while performing the same Read more
I continue to hear from many of you who are frustrated with Pennsylvania’s vaccine rollout. Please know that I share your frustrations. I regularly attend meetings about how to improve vaccine accessibility, but nothing feels like it’s happening quickly enough. Read more
RADNOR, March 8 – State Rep. Jennifer O’Mara, D-Delaware, announced today that Radnor Township has received a $500,000 grant toward local flood mitigation efforts. The funding comes from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development and will contribute to Valley Run’s streambank stabilization and extending the culvert on Robinhood Road. O’Mara said extending the culvert would eliminate the potential for further erosion, which contributes to severe floods. The project also includes incorporation or relocation of the concrete-encased sewer main and downstream sewer lateral work. “I’ve heard from many Radnor residents about excessive flooding in this area, so I’m proud to help bring this money home and work toward a solution,” O’Mara said. “Securing this grant is a great example of how my office can help constituents address an array of issues that are not patently governmental. I am here to serve you and voice your concerns not just in the Capitol, but to also the dozens of state departments and agencies.” “Radnor’s neighborhoods have always been subject to flooding. Today, because of climate change, we’re suffering hundred-year floods two or even three times a year,” Jack Larkin said, president of the Radnor board of commissioners. “Cars are floating away. Homes are being destroyed. Radnor needs this grant badly in Read more
I know that many of you are still struggling to access the coronavirus vaccine. However, I want to share with you that hope is on the horizon. Earlier this week, Gov. Wolf shared that we hit a milestone regarding the vaccine rollout plan. Read more
Find out what your friends and neighbors had to say about vaccines, unemployment issues, school funding and much, much more. Read more
Rep. O'Mara's winter 2021 newsletter features a summary of bills O'Mara authored, how to apply for unemployment benefits, the coronavirus vaccine, helpful community resources and more. Read more
SPRINGFIELD, Feb. 23 – State Rep. Jennifer O’Mara, D-Delaware, today announced her reappointment to the state legislature’s Public Higher Education Funding Commission. The purpose of the commission is to review and make recommendations related to higher education funding, affordability and effectiveness, administration, and operations. O’Mara, who also organized the House Student Debt Caucus, will help develop a higher education funding formula for the 14 Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education universities and four state-related universities, which are Penn State, Pitt, Temple and Lincoln universities. Funding for the 18 higher education institutions will be determined on a case-by-case basis considering factors such as goals for higher education, virtual learning needs, graduation, retention and enrollment rates, student debt and financial aid, and any other factors related to higher education and the distribution of funding. The General Assembly would then need to authorize the proposed funding formula. “I’m honored to be reappointed to this commission and re-evaluate what higher education institutions need most right now as we continue recovering from COVID-19,” O’Mara said. “We faced unchartered territory in the last year that created countless hurdles in our higher education system. As we begin crafting our annual budget in Harrisburg, I’ll be able to bring these issues to the forefront of the Read more
SPRINGFIELD, Feb. 22 – State Rep. Jennifer O’Mara, D-Delaware, invites residents of the 165th Legislative District to participate in a telephone town hall at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb 25. Residents of the district will receive a call to their home phones around 7 p.m. that day. To “attend” the meeting, people will be asked to stay on the phone. Anyone wanting to make sure they receive the phone call, or to register a cellphone, can register at https://tthm.wufoo.com/forms/register-for-rep-jennifer-omaras-teletownhall/ . The meeting will include discussion of issues of importance in the state and district, such as the coronavirus vaccine, revitalizing Pennsylvania’s economy, education and more. People can listen in and ask questions or leave feedback when the meeting has ended. Questions can be submitted in advance by emailing RepOMara@pahouse.net . “A telephone town hall is a great way to connect with as many residents as possible in a safe, accessible way,” O’Mara said. “I look forward to hearing from constituents and addressing some of our community’s top concerns as we continue battling COVID-19.” For more information, call O’Mara’s office at (610) 544-9878. Read more
Between COVID-19 vaccine distribution and Delaware County establishing its own health department, my office has recently been receiving several questions centered around the pandemic. Read more
SPRINGFIELD, Jan. 21 – State Rep. Jennifer O’Mara, D-Delaware, today announced that she will serve as a member of the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency board of directors. “Pennsylvania ranks third in the nation for highest student loan debt, with graduates owing an average of $38,000,” O’Mara said. “Receiving an education in Pennsylvania forces borrowers to postpone major life decisions such as buying a home or getting married because of the skyrocketing costs. If we don’t address the student debt crisis, our commonwealth’s professional workforce will gradually dwindle.” As a founder of the bipartisan Student Debt Caucus, O’Mara said that finding solutions to Pennsylvanians’ rising student debt balance is among her top priorities as a legislator. She added that mounting student debt could impact not only the borrowers’ finances, but also the finances of their families, partners and grandparents. “Working with PHEAA will put me in a better position to understand factors that contribute to Pennsylvania’s student debt crisis. I’m looking forward to using this experience to help me draft legislation with other members of the Student Debt Caucus to benefit past, present and future borrowers,” O’Mara said. O’Mara’s appointment will last until June 30, 2021. She will attend her first board meeting today. Anyone who needs more Read more
The last two weeks kicked off the beginning of a new legislative session. On January 5, I was sworn in for my second term serving you. Read more
SPRINGFIELD, Jan. 19 – State Rep. Jennifer O’Mara, D-Delaware, today announced that three public schools in her legislative district received federal stimulus funds to help offset the financial impact of COVID-19. Stimulus funds will support food programs, technological improvements and other education services. Funding will be distributed as follows: Marple Newtown SD: $913,628. Radnor Township SD: $1.85 million. Springfield SD: $511,410. “We’re almost one year into the COVID-19 public health crisis and it remains unclear how long students will continue to learn under a hybrid plan. As school districts, the legislature and Department of Health continue working on safely getting students back into the classroom full-time, this funding will help students of all ages stay on track this academic year.” O’Mara said. “My office also receives countless calls from individuals having issues with unemployment, so I know families throughout the community will sincerely appreciate the continuation of these schools’ food programs.” The federal relief is provided by the bipartisan Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act’s Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund passed by Congress in December. This round of funding included $2.2 billion in funding distributed to K-12 school districts and charter schools throughout the commonwealth Read more
RADNOR, Jan. 13 – State Rep. Jennifer O’Mara, D-Delaware, today announced that three higher education institutions received It’s On Us PA state grants for from the Pennsylvania Department of Education, which aims to reduce instances of sexual violence on university campuses. Grants will be distributed as follows: Cabrini University: $30,000. Eastern University: $30,000. Delaware County Community College: up to $15,350. “In order to end sexual violence, we need to examine this issue from many different angles. Supporting survivors is a worthwhile mission, but it’s crucial we do more to prevent these instances from happening in the first place,” O’Mara said. “This funding is a valuable investment in safety, well-being and character of not just college students, but the working professionals of tomorrow.” Delaware County Community College is one of five applicants that received It’s on Us carryover dollars. PDE is able to offer additional grant awards totaling $76,753 to the next five highest-scoring applicants as part of the 2020-2021 It’s on Us grant competition. The grants announced today may be used through May 2022 to address goals of the It’s On Us PA campaign, including: Improve awareness, prevention, reporting and response systems regarding sexual violence in college. Remove or reduce barriers that prevent survivors of Read more
HARRISBURG, Jan. 12 – The House Democratic Caucus’ Southeast Delegation elected Rep. Jennifer O’Mara, D-Delaware, as the delegation’s chair for this legislative session. As chairwoman, O’Mara will lead the 35-member delegation on legislative initiatives and negotiations. The southeast delegation is the caucus’ largest and fastest-growing delegation, consisting of members from Berks, Bucks, Chester, Dauphin, Delaware, Lancaster, Montgomery and York counties. “I’m humbled that my colleagues chose me to lead the southeast delegation for the next two years,” O’Mara said. “As someone who doesn’t come from a political family -- my dad was a firefighter and my mom a school bus driver-- my experiences growing up are the reality of many hard-working Pennsylvanians. I am honored to lead the delegation and look forward to lifting up the voices of not just my constituents, but every Pennsylvanian in need of social and economic equity.” O’Mara took the oath of office on Jan. 5 to begin her second term. She said that she will continue to focus in the new term on supporting first responders, addressing the student debt crisis and removing the stigma surrounding mental health. Questions may be directed to O’Mara’s office by calling 610-544-9878. Read more
HARRISBURG – Reps. Frank Farry (R-Bucks) and Jennifer O’Mara (D-Delaware) today announced a $60,000 grant to the American Red Cross in support of The Home Fire Campaign, specifically to provide smoke alarms for “Sound the Alarm. Save a Life.” initiative. The grant is being awarded through the Keystone Communities program with the Department of Community and Economic Development. Launched in 2014, “Sound the Alarm. Save a Life.” aims to reduce home fire deaths and injuries. These smoke alarm installations, carried out by the Red Cross and community partners have resulted in more than 100,000 free smoke alarms being installed in Pennsylvania homes. With a priority on protecting the safety and well-being of all since the onset of COVID-19, Sound the Alarm events, as well as in-person home fire safety and preparedness presentations have been postponed. However, the Red Cross has partnered with organizations currently providing in-home services, such as fire departments, home weatherization, and visiting rehabilitation programs. While in the home delivering these services, partner organizations will also install smoke alarms. “As a volunteer firefighter, I understand the importance of not only providing people with the tools necessary to keep them safe, but ensuring we educate our communities on the vital significance of the early warnings of dangers provided Read more
HARRISBURG, Jan. 11 – State Rep. Jennifer O’Mara, D-Delaware, today received four committee assignments for the 2021-22 legislative session. She will return to two committees that she served on last session as well as begin work with two new committees. “I am thrilled to announce my new committee assignments for the 2021-22 legislative session. The committees I’m joining are reflective of some of my priorities as a legislator — to support our first responders, to protect workers, to fund critical infrastructure investments, and to make sure our state is acting in a fiscally responsible way,” O’Mara said. O’Mara is now a member of the following committees for the 2021-22 legislative session. Asterisks indicate committees that she served on in her first term and will return to: *Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness: Reviews legislation concerning Pennsylvanians who serve and have served in the U.S. armed forces, Pennsylvania National Guard, and firefighting, emergency medical, emergency management, and homeland security services. Finance: Reviews bills relating to all financial matters for the state. Tax collection rates and policies are regularly reviewed, as well as policies that create or build on programs financed by the state. Labor and Industry: Reviews legislation on issues such as the state’s minimum wage, unemployment compensation, workers’ Read more
Please use the form below to sign up for email updates. By completing this form you are acknowledging your request to receive periodic email updates.
By completing this form, you are verifying your request to opt in for email updates.
Thank you. Your email signup has been sent. You should start getting emails within 24 hours.
Please use the form below to email Rep. Jennifer M. O'Mara.
Thank you. Your feedback has been sent.
26 E. 4th StreetMedia, PA 19063-3042
P*: (610) 544-9878
F*: (484) 200-8270
Hours of Operation - Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on weekends by appointment only.
905 West Sproul RoadSuite 203Springfield, PA 19064-1254
217 Irvis OfficeP.O. Box 202165Harrisburg, PA 17120-2165
P*: (717) 783-4090
F*: (717) 772-2284