Happy Friday the 13th!
It has certainly been a whirlwind of activity as the holidays are in full swing across the 168th! I've been having a lot of fun being out and about at these events to not only celebrate, but participate in the efforts to support those in need over the holidays. As you'll see as you continue reading, the generosity of everyone across the 168th is always heartwarming. ??
The 2025-2026 session of the PA legislature officially began on December 1st. Swearing in for all legislators takes place on January 7th, but we're now able to circulate co-sponsorship memos and prep legislation for reintroduction in January. Needless to say, there have been hundreds of memos as I and my colleagues begin the process of working to move new legislation or bills which did not pass in the last session.
|
As I begin my second term, I look to build on what I learned in my first to create and move meaningful and impactful legislation (and boy, did I learn A LOT). Thanks to our 168th neighbors bringing forward concerns to act on, we now have several new pieces of legislation to champion. These new bills will help support our local municipalities as they work to serve their communities, give local law enforcement tools to prevent sale of vaping materials to minors, and allow patients to request their electronic prescription for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), narcolepsy, depression, or impulsivity be transferred to another pharmacy without having to go back to their practitioner to initiate the request. I will also continue my efforts to support our first responders and hope to have information about new bi-partisan legislation to share in the next few months.
There is a lot happening, and the legislature definitely does not slow down over the holidays. But I hope you all have a chance to slow down and enjoy the season. Hopefully, I will see you out and about in the district soon.
|
Harrisburg Update
- PUC approves smaller-than-requested rate increase for PECO
- PA opens new internet access program
In the District
- Lighting the tree in Newtown Square and Wayne
- Elves for the Shelves
- Open House at Wayne Senior Center
- Rocky Run 10th Anniversary Dinner
- Mint Trail ribbon-cutting
- Medicare 101 recap
- AEDs for Delco's VFWs, Legions & Scouts
- Sharing Excess at Radnor Civic Center
- Honoring John Nagle with the League of Women Voters
- NSBA Luncheon
- Delco Anglers usher in new Brook Trout
- 100 candles for Sylvia!
FYI
- PennDOT to Host ‘REAL ID Day’ on Dec. 16
- New military license plates
- 2025 Fishing licenses on sale
- Enroll in Pennie coverage by Dec. 15
- Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program applications due Dec. 31
- Attention: PA Veterans who served in the Battle of the Bulge
Community Events
- Unclaimed Property event (2/4)
|
??PUC approves smaller-than-requested rate increase for PECO; pledges to uphold expired consumer protections
|
I’ve been following PECO’s requests for electric and natural gas rate increases and keeping you updated since learning about them at the end of March. As of yesterday, there’s finally a resolution to report: the PUC voted to approve increases for both, but at rates smaller than what PECO requested.
- For electricity, PECO will raise its monthly distribution customer charge by $0.75 (7.1%). It had requested a $3.78 (36%) increase. It was also permitted to collect another $64 million “surcharge credit” from customers in the year 2025. With the rate increase and surcharge, the monthly bill for a residential customer using 700 kilowatt hours per month will increase by about $13.58 in 2025, and by another $2.70 in 2026.
- For natural gas, PECO will raise its rate by 10.2% It had requested a 36% increase. That means in 2025, the monthly bill for a residential customer using 80 Ccf per month will increase by about $12.25 (or 12.5%, with other fee increases factored in).
As part of both settlements, PECO agreed not to file another general rate increase for electric or natural gas before March 16, 2026.
PUC also announced yesterday that it will continue to offer the consumer protections outlined in Chapter 14 of the Public Utility Code, despite the fact they will expire on Dec. 31.
While this is good news for public health & safety, it’s frustrating that it’s come to this. We passed H.B. 1077 (I was a cosponsor) in the House all the way back in October to reauthorize Chapter 14’s safeguards (as the legislature did in 2014), but the Senate decided not to consider it.
The basic safeguards we tried to renew include a moratorium on shutting off a residence’s heat during the winter months, payment arrangements based on household income, and protections for victims of domestic violence and people with a severe medical condition.
We will of course push again in the 2025-26 legislation session to renew Chapter 14 for the good of the commonwealth. And to wrap this story up on a hopeful note, I am so impressed by and grateful to the citizens who took the time to testify at the PUC’s public hearings about PECO’s rate increase requests. An engaged community is a thriving community, and I am so proud of us.
|
?? PA opens new internet access program
|
Pennsylvania is among the first states in the country to begin its chapter of the federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program, designed to provide states with funding to make sure all residents have home access to the internet.
Governor Shapiro and the PA Broadband Development Authority announced in June 2023 that we would join the program, which gives states funding to expand broadband infrastructure for high-speed internet service in underserved areas. To learn how the program works, click here.
|
?? Lighting the tree in Newtown Square and Wayne
|
I attended my first tree lighting of the season on December 1st at St. Alban’s Circle, complete with Santa and the cutest little tree lighter and her daddy, Leonard Altieri, who in addition to that role also serves as Newtown Township Supervisor. As always, a wonderful event made possible by the Newtown Square Fire Company, Newtown Square Business Association & Santa!
|
And this past Friday, it was Wayne's turn! I got to hang out with Radnor Board of Commissioners’ Chair Maggy Myers, Delco Chamber of Commerce Chairwoman Deanna Doane, and our tree lighter, 6abc’s own Ducis Rodgers. Thank you to the Wayne Business Association for yet another festive community celebration!
|
It was a busy holiday Saturday across the 168th Legislative District last weekend! I started the morning early as a course marshal with my new friend Jim for the Radnor Memorial Library’s Elves for the Shelves. More than 650 runners/walkers turned out to support this township treasure – thank you for helping to raise over $74,000 for the library! I saw so many friends out there running or walking…what a great morning!
|
?? Open House at Wayne Senior Center
|
My very busy Saturday last weekend continued at Wayne Senior Center, where I had the chance to chat with Executive Director Katie Mahon and her team about many exciting new ventures on the horizon for 2025!
|
WSC hosted a very festive holiday open house showcasing the talent of some of our area’s young performers. If you haven’t checked out the Wayne Senior Center, you really should!
|
?? Rocky Run 10th Anniversary Dinner
|
For my final Saturday stop, I was excited to join the men and women of Rocky Run Fire Co. to celebrate their 10-year anniversary of serving Middletown and the surrounding communities. Rocky Run was formed by the merger of Lenni Heights and Lima Fire Companies. They are 100% volunteer fire and are the area’s Basic Life Support (BLS) providers, responding to almost 2,000 fire and EMS calls last year.
|
Being a first responder is in their blood; a commitment to service passed down from generation to generation. They are dedicated to nurturing tomorrow’s firefighters and rescue workers to become part of this time-honored tradition. They all have jobs and family, but they leave all that when they are called to save lives and property.
Congratulations to all those honored on Saturday, thank you for your dedicated service. I look forward to continuing to work with the members of Rocky Run to support their legacy of service to the community.
|
?? Mint Trail ribbon-cutting
|
It is always exciting when a new opportunity for recreation opens in the district! I was so happy to join Middletown Township officials, members of the county planning department, and my colleague Rep. Leanne Krueger to cut the ribbon on the new Mint Trail that runs right by the SEPTA Wawa Station and the new Franklin Station neighborhood. This is just the first phase in expanding Middletown’s trail network, and I can’t wait to get some steps in!
|
We used every chair in the office last Wednesday to accommodate all the guests at our Medicare 101 program. Thank you to Don, our expert from PA Medi, who helped bring order to all the many options of Medicare.
If you need help making sense of it all and missed the session last night, give our office a call and we can connect you with a PA Medi specialist to help you choose the best plan for you (and no annoying phone calls from people trying to “sell” you different options).
Call us at 484-427-2884. We are here to help!
|
?? AEDs for Delco’s VFWs, Legions & Scouts
|
The AEDs are in! On Thursday, Joe Daly of the Delaware County Veterans Memorial, along with Chief Chris Young of the Newtown Square Fire Company, hosted the first of three training sessions for the members of Delco’s legions, VFWs and local scouting troops who will be receiving AEDs through the state grant Rep. Jennifer O’Mara and I were able to obtain. I was so excited to see so many members ready to be trained to use an AED and learn CPR from Delco’s own Tri-State Training, who is not only supplying the training but is also the vendor for the 21 AEDs to be installed. We love keeping it all local!
Thank you to everyone who turned out on Thursday to learn how to save a life!
|
?? Sharing Excess at Radnor Civic Center
|
With the help of Sharing Excess (so glad for the intro from Rep. Regina Young) and our friends Laurie and Lexi, Team 168 celebrated Thanksgiving by securing fresh vegetables and fruit for our friends at the Radnor Civic Center to share with neighbors.
Thank you so much, Sharing Excess, for being one of our go-to resources to support the community!
|
?? Honoring John Nagle with the League of Women Voters
|
Last week I joined the Radnor League of Women Voters to celebrate a local leader who has left an impressive legacy in Radnor Township. John Nagle, recipient of the Civic Participation Award, has dedicated much of his life to the township he calls home as a Radnor commissioner, parks & rec committee and zoning hearing board member, and board member of Radnor Conservancy, and historical society supporter (just to name a few).
John was a tremendous mentor to me when I first joined the Radnor BOC and continued to share his institutional knowledge during my tenure. His contributions can be found across Radnor in preservation of open space and historic buildings, businesses district and environmental enhancements as well as initiating many township reporting mechanisms which make finances transparent to the public.
|
Thrilled to join the League and my other mentor and former commissioner, County Councilwoman Elaine Schaefer to celebrate John!
|
Kate represented Team 168 at the Newtown Square Business Association holiday luncheon this week! It is always a great place to connect with our local businesses and develop new partnerships to better serve our neighbors. Stay tuned, as Kate is already working on some new programs we hope to roll out in the next few months thanks to the connections she made at the luncheon.
We also received our official NSBA membership certificate and are proud to be part of such a vibrant business community!
|
?? Delco Anglers usher in new Brook Trout!
|
It was a perfectly rainy but warm day to join the Delco Anglers for the delivery of their newly hatched Brook Trout! These hatchlings are now safely in the tanks at the Delco Anglers Barren Road location where they will spend the next several months swimming in the water supplied by Dismal Run, being fed by the dedicated angler volunteers, and growing! This labor of love by the anglers will results in over 3,000 Brook Trout (the state fish) being ready for release in our local creeks in the spring!
Click here if you’d like more information about how to get involved with the Delco Anglers. They are also selling super cute hats to raise funds to support their efforts. Get one by DMing them via their Facebook page.
|
?? 100 candles for Sylvia!
|
Happy 100th birthday, Sylvia! So much fun to celebrate this lovely lady with her beautiful extended family and the caring staff at Fair Acres Geriatric Center. 100 years is an amazing milestone!
I'm always so honored to join in these celebrations and bring greetings from the PA House of Representatives on these milestone occasions. Best wishes to the birthday lady!
|
PennDOT to Host ‘REAL ID Day’ on Dec. 16
If you haven't yet secured your Pennsylvania REAL ID, you may consider attending PennDOT's extra-hours REAL ID service event at the Granite Run Driver License Center in Media on Monday, Dec. 16! The center is located at 1067 West Baltimore Pike and will be open from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
Getting a REAL ID is optional in PA, but beginning May 7, 2025, you will need one (or another form of federally acceptable identification) to: 1) Board domestic commercial flights; 2) Enter a military base; or 3) Enter certain federal facilities.
Here's what you'll need to bring to get your REAL ID.
|
New military license plates
I'm very happy to share that Pennsylvania just added six new license plates that honor military veterans; three for medals/honors and three for women veterans. That makes a grand total of 53 options for specialty military plates! All plates and application forms are on PennDOT's website.
|
2025 Pennsylvania fishing licenses, permits, and gift vouchers are now on sale — a great gift for the anglers in your life! You may purchase them through the HuntFishPA portal on the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission website, the FishBoatPA mobile app, or in-person at a retailer (see the list of locations on the website). 2025 permits are valid from Dec. 1, 2024 through Dec. 31, 2025.
|
Don’t wait until it’s too late – the open enrollment deadline is THIS SUNDAY (Dec. 15) to choose an affordable, high-quality healthcare coverage plan from Pennie. Visit www.pennie.com to enroll.
Pennie will continue accepting applications through Jan. 15, but coverage will begin in February.
|
Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program applications due Dec. 31
Don’t miss out on your rebate! Pennsylvanians have until December 31 to apply for the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program. The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue has already received over 523,000 rebate claims in 2024, including nearly 103,000 first-time applicants. My colleagues and I fought hard to expand this program and we want everyone who is eligible to get a rebate on taxes or rent they paid in 2023. Apply here!
|
Attention: PA Veterans who served in the Battle of the Bulge
In consideration of the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Bulge -- the largest battle of WWII -- on Dec. 16, my colleague Rep. Pielli, who represents part of Chester County, is aiding West Chester University in its effort to capture and preserve this history for the public. The university is conducting a survey of PA National Guard Veterans who served in the battle and will share the results as an accounting of the remarkable sacrifices and courage of the 28th Infantry Division of the PA Army National Guard.
The survey requests history and memories about the Battle.
If you, a family member, or an acquaintance served during the Battle, please consider responding with details, locations, photos, and stories: Battle of the Bulge: 80th Anniversary Commemoration Survey
|
For your 2025 calendar...
|
Pennsylvania State Capitol
4-A East Wing
Harrisburg, PA 17120
(717) 772-2005
|
District Office
4 S Newtown Street Rd., Suite 100
Newtown Square, PA 19073
(484) 427-2884
|
|