Happy opening week of baseball!
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It feels good to have baseball back! I am so excited for this Phillies season and their first win of (hopefully) many.
I spent the past two weeks in Harrisburg working on various pieces of legislation, meeting with advocates and stakeholders, and running down district issues with state agencies. I am also proud to report I am two for two when it comes to moving bills from committee and through the house so far this year! There are more details below, but in each of the past two weeks I was able to move my pharmacy electronic transfer legislation unanimously through the House as well as my bill to enhance the work of our local elected officials in second class townships.
Both pieces of legislation were inspired by residents of the 168th, and I am thrilled to have been able to work to develop legislation which answers the needs of our community.
Back in district, we have been working hard with PennDOT to address some of the most pressing concerns being brought forward – potholes and trash on the Blue Route. Thank you to everyone who reached out to report their concerns about the trash situation...I 100% agree it is a mess! I know I have written before about the challenges we face when it comes to hiring and retaining PennDOT maintenance staff in the southeast. These staff shortages make it a challenge to keep up. But the good news is that the trash situation is being addressed...they have been working to clean things up on the Blue Route, and I noticed a slight improvement last Saturday when I was driving to the airport to pick up my husband.
You might also notice (and be stuck in a related delay) that work to fill potholes has also begun. The arrival of warmer weather means the patch jobs will last longer, and, in some cases, this work is the precursor for a full road repaving either this year or next. PennDOT has a few resources to help you in your travels as the road construction season gets underway. The PennDOT District 6 Traffic Bulletin is updated in real time during business hours, and below we've included info about local construction projects. You can also access 511PA, which provides travel info “to go” - it might come in handy as you hit the road for spring break or this summer.
Road construction ?? and baseball ? – two signs that warmer weather has arrived, and that summer is right around the corner!
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Have a great weekend and....go Phillies!
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Harrisburg Update
- My pharmacy transfer & local government bill pass the House
- Defending 'Affordable Care Act' protections
- Iftar Dinner
- Social workers rally at the Capitol
- Bryan's Law
- PA Coroners support Morgan Rose's Law
In the District
- REAL ID at Newtown Square Fire Co.
My Events
- SEPTA Senior ID events (4/7 & 9/22)
- Small Business Summit (4/16)
- REAL ID Webinar (4/22)
- Medicare: Extra Help (5/12)
- Shred & E-recycling event (5/17)
FYI
- Pothole repair & District 6 scheduled maintenance
- Claim the Child & Dependent Care Enhancement Tax Credit
- AARP Tax Aide appointments at Wayne Senior Center
- Radnor Twp seeks new Fire/EMS Chief
- 2025 Trout Season
Community Events
- Free mammograms & breast exams with DCHD (4/3)
- Tree planting project in Radnor (4/3)
- DCIU Education Career Fair (4/8)
- ParentingRx: Advice workshop for parents w/ Nemours (4/9)
- Backyard composting workshop at Rose Tree Park (4/22)
- Community Hearing Aid Clinic (4/25)
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My pharmacy transfer & local government bills pass the House
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Last week, the PA House unanimously passed my bill, H.B. 60 - "Pharmacy Prescription Transfer," to provide a solution to the ongoing issue of chronically out-of-stock medications.
This legislation would allow your original pharmacy to electronically transfer your prescription to another, eliminating the need for you to go back to your health care provider to start the prescription process all over again if your original pharmacy doesn't have it.
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I had another homegrown piece of legislation pass the House this week -- keep reading to find out how I had local help!
H.B. 209 would create consistency across Pennsylvania regarding ordinances adopted by townships and give them more flexibility, by allowing Second-Class townships to adopt ordinances with an immediate effective date.
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Current Pennsylvania law stipulates that Second-Class townships must wait five days for a new ordinance to take effect. Under H.B. 209, township supervisors would still be permitted to pick a later effective date if it better meets their community’s needs.
This bill provides a simple fix to a pervasive issue brought to my attention by Newtown Township Supervisor Leonard Altieri. The current five-day restriction is unique to Second-Class townships, which are our most common local government type in Pennsylvania, and it hinders their governing effectiveness. It makes sense to bring their regulations in line with those for first and third-class townships.
Now it’s on the state Senate to take up both of these commonsense pieces of legislation and get them to Gov. Josh Shapiro’s desk!
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Defending 'Affordable Care Act' protections
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The Affordable Care Act has saved lives, protected people, and grown our economy here in Delaware County and across Pennsylvania, but the ACA is under constant attack in Washington, D.C.
I voted to make sure Pennsylvania law continues to uphold that your health care is between you and your doctor – and nobody else.
These are the four bills in the House's Protecting Your Care package we passed this week that would make sure you’re covered:
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? Health Insurance Protections Against Limitations Act would make sure your lifetime coverage actually lasts a lifetime – insurance companies can’t simply decide your illness or injury is too expensive and refuse to cover more care.
? Health Insurance for Young Adults Act would allow young adults just starting their careers without access to insurance to stay on their parents’ plans until age 26. With one-in-six young adults having a chronic condition and any young adult being susceptible to illness or injury, this will make a real difference.
? Health Insurance Access Protection Act would make sure an insurance company cannot cancel your coverage or send your rates skyrocketing for a pre-existing condition.
? Health Insurance Preventive Services Coverage Act would require health insurance companies to continue covering preventive care, like well-child visits and adult screenings for cancer, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes.
The fate of all of the above bills now rests with the state Senate. More than half a million of our fellow Pennsylvanians finally have affordable health insurance via the ACA and our Pennie exchange. I’m proud to fight for them and their families – and to refuse to outsource our commonwealth's health care jobs.
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I was thrilled to join my colleagues from both sides of the aisle and all religious backgrounds to share in an Iftar dinner, the formal name for breaking fast during the holy month of Ramadan.
We gathered in the East Wing Rotunda to pray, share a meal, and even get some personalized Turkish calligraphy which dates to the Ottoman Empire!
Ramadan Kareem and Eid Mubarak!
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Social workers rally at the Capitol
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On Tuesday, I joined the National Association of Social Workers PA Chapter for their annual Legislative Education and Advocacy Day! I was invited to speak at their rally to celebrate all the great work social workers do in our communities, including Marie in my district office and the Community Response Unit with Radnor PD.
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Students were there to advocate for Rep. Aerion Abney’s bill to allow PA social workers to join the interstate licensure compact to practice across state lines, and Rep. Kristine Howard’s SWEET legislation that would help social work students get compensated during their mandated field training. Happy Social Work Month, Pennsylvania Social Workers!
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I was honored to stand in support of my friends and colleagues state Reps. Melissa Cerrato, Jenn O’Mara and Brian Munroe as they introduced Bryan’s Law. Inspired by late PA State Trooper Bryan F. Gray, who tragically died by suicide in January of last year at age 36, Bryan’s Law would extend line of duty death benefits to the loved ones of first responders who suffered from post-traumatic stress injury because of their job.
Bryan’s wife, Emily, spoke about the pain of his passing and how line of duty death benefits would have helped their family after this unimaginable loss.
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PA Coroners support Morgan Rose's Law
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PA coroners were in the Capitol on Wednesday to advocate for their legislative priorities, including my proposal for Morgan Rose’s Law, which would increase awareness about Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP) for patients & their families, and help coroners be able to list SUDEP as the cause of death post-autopsy.
In addition, all signs point to this type of legislation leading to more research into how these tragic deaths can be prevented. Thank you to the coroners for their support!
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REAL ID at Newtown Square Fire Co.
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Last Thursday, Kate presented our last REAL ID seminar for the spring upstairs at the beautiful Newtown Square Fire Co.! Lots of questions about name changes, what supporting documents are needed, and how to avoid waiting in a long line.
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If you couldn’t make one of our sessions, don’t worry – we have all kinds of ways to make sure you get the guidance you need. You can join us online on Thursday, April 22 with PennDOT for a virtual webinar hosted by state Sen. Tim Kearney, me and a whole bunch of Delco legislators! Sign up and view details here.
PennDOT and the county are also hosting two REAL ID Days: Monday, April 14 and Monday, May 5 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Granite Run Driver License Center in Media, 1097 West Baltimore Pike.
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Pothole repair and District 6 scheduled maintenance
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Our PennDOT crews will be out and about next week filling potholes across Delco. Here in the 168th Legislative District, the following roads will receive maintenance:
- Route 3 (West Chester Pike), Haverford, Upper Darby, Marple, and Edgmont townships.
- Baltimore Pike, Middletown Township.
- Barren Road, Middletown Township.
- Bryn Mawr Avenue, Radnor Township.
- Darby Road, Newtown Township.
- King of Prussia Road, Radnor Township.
If you would like to keep up with PennDOT’s plans in the Southeast for road repair, utility work, etc. check out the District 6 Traffic Bulletin.
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Claim the Child and Dependent Care Enhancement Tax Credit this Tax Season
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Pennsylvania offers a state tax credit that can help ease child and dependent care costs for working families. Eligible Pennsylvanians can claim the Child and Dependent Care Enhancement Tax Credit when they file their Pennsylvania Personal Income Tax Return (PA-40). This credit can range between $600 and $2,100, depending on your income level and the number of your dependents. See if you qualify and apply today!
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AARP Tax Aide appointments available at Wayne Senior Center
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AARP is now scheduling tax prep appointments at the Wayne Senior Center. This service is available to adults 50 years of age and older who are low to moderate income. You do not need to be an AARP member to receive tax aide assistance or a Wayne Senior Center member, it is open to all.
Wayne Senior Center members can call the Center directly at 610-688-6246 to make an appointment. Appointments are available on Wednesdays at 1:00 PM and 2:15 PM; and Fridays at 8:45 AM, 10:00 AM, and 11:15 AM.
Non-members of Wayne Senior Center should call the appointment hotline at 484-380-5260 and leave a voicemail with your contact information. A local AARP volunteer will call you back.
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Radnor Township seeks new Fire/EMS Chief
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The township is seeking qualified, strategically focused candidates for the position of Fire/EMS Chief as the first career fire chief for the department as a Radnor Township employee.
Currently the Township is provided with exceptional service from the Radnor Fire Co., the Bryn Mawr Fire Co., and the Broomall Fire Co. As with any area of growth as a destination for families in the greater Philadelphia area, call volumes and demand for services require the continued development of the excellent services already provided.
The Fire/EMS Chief position will be a very visible member of the senior leadership team of the township and requires well-developed leadership abilities and management skill sets that are based upon consensus building and problem-solving. The township is seeking progressive candidates committed to excellence in delivery of fire/EMS, Specialized Response and Emergency Management services with specific experience in a combination environment.
Please click here for the full job description (including salary and qualifications) and instructions for applying.
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There will be a preview Mentored Youth Trout Fishing Day TOMORROW, Sat., March 29. The 2025 trout season will open officially on Saturday, April 5. Click here for the entire 2025 schedule.
For Mentored Youth Trout Fishing Day, youth under the age of 16 can join a mentor (adult) angler who has a current fishing license and trout permit. Youth anglers must obtain a free PFBC-issued permit, or a voluntary youth fishing license. Both are available online, through the Delaware County Treasurer’s office, or at a retail license issuing agent.
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Tree Planting Project in Radnor
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Join Willistown Conservation Trust in planting trees in the Darby Creek Watershed at Ravenscliff/Roundhill! Planting will take place Thursday, April 3 through Sunday, April 6 with morning and afternoon shifts available. Get the details and register here: Tree Planting Project at Ravenscliff/Roundhill.
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DCIU Education Career Fair
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Are you passionate about education and looking for a meaningful career? Whether you're a seasoned educator, a recent graduate, or someone interested in making a difference in schools, this is your opportunity to connect with local districts and find your next role!
The Delaware County Intermediate Unit (DCIU) is partnering with all 15 public school districts in Delaware County to host the Delaware County Education Career Fair.
?? Tuesday, April 8, 2025
? 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
?? DCIU Morton Education Center – 200 Yale Ave., Morton, PA
This county-wide career fair will bring together representatives from every Delaware County school district and the DCIU, all looking to fill a variety of rewarding positions, including: General Education Teachers, Special Education Teachers, Paraeducators, Office Staff, Custodial Staff, and
Bus Drivers & Monitors.
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Join Nemours Children's Health and Be Well Philly for a night of conversations with children's health experts.
Parents may ask questions about pediatric health concerns & get expert advice from medical providers in lactation, newborn health, mental and behavioral health, GI issues, asthma, ENT, and cardiology.
Refreshments will be provided.
For more details and to sign up, click here.
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Backyard composting workshop at Rose Tree Park
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Pennsylvania Resources Council will host a Backyard Composting Workshop on Tuesday, April 22 from 6-7 p.m., at the Hunt Club in Rose Tree Park, 1521 N. Providence Road, Media, PA. Registration is required and the cost is $70 with supplies, or $20 for just the workshop.
Attendees will learn how to turn their organic waste into a valuable resource for their garden, the benefits and process of composting, plus everything they need to know about setting up and maintaining a compost bin to turn kitchen scraps, yard waste, and more into natural, home-made compost.
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Community Hearing Aid Clinic
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Hearing the Call Delaware Valley is the non-profit affiliate of PA Center for Hearing and Balance in Springfield. Their mission is to provide quality hearing healthcare and hearing aids to those in our community who cannot afford it. New hearing aids and related services are provided for a small co-pay for those who qualify. They have partnered with the national Hearing the Call project to offer these services on Friday, April 25.
If you are interested, please complete an application by March 25. For an application to be e-mailed or mailed please call 610-438-5203. Click here for more info on their website.
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Pennsylvania State Capitol
28-B East Wing
Harrisburg, PA 17120
(717) 772-2005
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District Office
24 S. Newtown Street Rd., Suite 100
Newtown Square, PA 19073
(484) 427-2884
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