Spring training is well underway, and the first official day of spring is right around the corner! I’m going to be cautiously optimistic and say we have almost made it out of what seems to be a never-ending winter.
The legislature is currently holding budget hearings in Harrisburg, so we are not back in session until the week of March 23rd. Budget hearings are a chance for members of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees to hear from the state agencies and offices regarding their budget requests and how they have been utilizing the dollars allotted to them in the last budget.
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I have been tuning in to the hearings (I am not on the House Appropriations Committee...maybe someday), particularly those with the Fire Commissioner’s Office and the Departments of Health and Human Services.
I was thrilled to hear some positive affirmation about our private equity in healthcare legislation from Attorney General Dave Sunday (pictured here) during his hearing. This bill specifically gives his office more power when it comes to reviewing potential hospital mergers with private equity and it was very positive to hear our AG testify, while questioned by my colleague Rep. Tarik Khan, to his support for the legislation. Yay! ??
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I have also been using this time to meet with neighbors on issues of concern and touch base with our townships, as well as meet with various groups doing great work in our communities. We had the chance to sit down with the leaders of the Delaware Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross. We know the Red Cross as the operators of blood donation sites and the boots on the ground to help in emergencies and disasters, but did you know they provide many other services as well?
The Delaware Valley Chapter serves nearly 2 million people in Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery counties. Through their Sound the Alarm initiative anyone can arrange to have the Red Cross come out and install free smoke alarms in their home. They will also provide home fire safety information. Just complete the request here. The Red Cross also serves our seniors and veterans with special programs. We are thrilled to partner with them over the next few months to host two blood drives; keep an eye out for dates and times.
I hope you all are looking forward to the predicted warmer weather this weekend. I know I am! Enjoy the taste of spring, and go Phillies!
Gratefully,
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P.S. If you are starting your spring cleaning this weekend and looking to get rid of some gently used children’s books, bring them to our office! We're collecting for the Delco Book Bank, details below:
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Harrisburg Update
- State funding for our local first responders
- Gov. Shapiro embarks on listening tour to hear from women
- Dept. of Labor & Industry seeking input on minimum wage policy
- Radnor choirs perform at the Capitol!
- Have you shopped electric suppliers recently?
In the District
- "Bridging the Gap" discussion on healthcare access
- Intern Jade meets with Radnor PD's social worker
- Reading across America at the Rocky Run Y
- Delaware Valley Red Cross
My Events
- Unclaimed Property Week (3/16-20)
- Budgeting Hacks with Franklin Mint Credit Union (4/2)
- Blood Drive (4/10)
- Outdoor Fair (4/11)
- SEPTA Senior Fare Card event w/ Sen. Kearney (4/13)
- Medicare Supplemental Plans - Zoom Seminar (4/29)
FYI
- Have you shopped electric suppliers recently?
- Grants available for electric vehicle charging stations
- Businesses & Nonprofits: A reminder about filing your annual report
Community Events
- Support Newtown Square Fire Co. with your Romano's orders
- Peter's Place: Anticipatory, Ambiguous & Non-Death Loss Webinar (3/12)
- Friends of Newtown Public Library Spring Book Sale (3/13-15)
- Chesco Pops Orchestra concerts (3/20 & 3/22)
- Inclusive Post-High School Resource Fair (3/28)
- "Once Upon a Run" Festival & 5K (4/19)
- Newtown Square Fire Co. upcoming events (4/26, 5/9, 7/4)
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State funding for our local first responders
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Fire and EMS companies here in our district have been awarded state grants to help them continue their lifesaving work. To the people who work these demanding jobs – thank you for showing up for us when we’re facing our worst moments. You have my endless gratitude for keeping our communities safe.
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Gov. Shapiro launches survey & listening tour to hear from women
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The Governor’s Advisory Commission on Women is gathering input from women across PA via a new digital survey as part of the Shapiro Administration's forthcoming 2026 State of the Woman Report, a comprehensive, data-driven effort to assess the status of women across Pennsylvania. The survey will be open through May 30 and will collect insight from PA women on their experiences and priorities to better inform the Administration’s policies that impact women.
Ladies: Click here to take the survey. [Spanish | Chinese]
The listening tour starts later this month, however, it does not include any stops in Delaware County. You may view the list here.
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The report will build on PA’s inaugural 1966 Report on the Status of Women and the most recent report from 2004, examining the progress women have made over the last 60 years and identifying the gaps that still exist. The report will combine historical analysis, current data, and firsthand experiences from women in rural, suburban, and urban communities to provide a comprehensive picture of the current status of women.
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Dept. of Labor & Industry seeking input on minimum wage policy
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The Department of Labor and Industry is considering updating the Minimum Wage Act’s regulations and is holding listening sessions to hear from stakeholders. Pre-registration is required.
In person:
- Philadelphia – Tuesday, March 10 | 10-11:30 A.M. | Betsy Ross Conference Room at 801 Market St., 6th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19107
- Harrisburg – March 18 | 2-3:30 P.M. | Labor and Industry Building,?651 Boas St., Fourth Floor, Harrisburg PA 17121
Virtual:
- Virtual Listening Session II – Monday, March 23 | 7-8:30 P.M. | Microsoft Teams
- Additional sessions may be scheduled based on demand.
The PA Minimum Wage Act provides minimum wage and overtime protections for workers; the regulations used to enforce the Act are intended to provide additional clarity and consistency for workers and employers.
Many of these regulations have not been updated for decades, and L&I is beginning a comprehensive review and potential rulemaking to make sure the rules are easily understandable and reflect today’s workplaces.
- Are there existing Minimum Wage Act rules you would like to see updated or clarified?
- Are there topics you would like to see addressed with new Minimum Wage Act rules?
- NOTE: The department cannot address the minimum wage rate with any new rulemaking.
No decisions have been made, and public input will play a key role in understanding where clarification or modernization may be needed. Please make your voice heard!
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Radnor choirs perform at the Capitol!
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Yesterday, the talented students of the Radnor High School Meistersingers, Select Choir, and Pro-Musica brought musical beauty to the Capitol! What a thrill to welcome them and hear them fill the rotunda with a varied program designed to display their impressive range.
They definitely took their “shot” with an amazing medley from Hamilton and a tribute to “Grease” among other fabulous arrangements, including a few student-directed a cappella pieces which were incredible! (Fun fact… Rydel High in Grease is modeled after Radnor High!)
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Thank you to everyone for traveling to the Capitol, including music director Heather Spindel and the proud Radnor parents who traveled with the students, including School Board Director DJ Thornton.
This former Radnor Meistersinger had a great time!
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Have you shopped electric suppliers recently?
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If you are like me, you probably just received your most recent energy bill and, if you are also like me, you were probably shocked... and not in a good way. ?? If you have been shopping for your electricity (like we do), you might be shocked to learn (like I was) you could be paying more than you need to.
How to find out? Check your monthly utility bill and look for the "Price to Compare." If your current supplier’s rate is higher than that number, you may be paying more than necessary.
The Electric Competition Act (effective January 2000) allows PA residents the opportunity to potentially save money by shopping for an electric generation provider. But is it really saving people money?
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A few weeks ago, I participated in a joint meeting of the House Consumer Protection Committee and House Energy Committee where we learned shopping may be costing consumers more than they think. In fact, a review of utility data from 2024 and 2025 revealed residential customers who switched away from their utility’s default service paid significantly more for their energy than those who stayed put. In 2024 alone, customers spent an estimated $350 million more than the standard "Price to Compare." This trend continued into 2025, with an additional $345 million in excess costs. Some do pay a premium for "green" energy by choice but for natural gas there is no "green" option, people are just paying more for the same energy.
Check the "Price to Compare" on your bill. If you need help better understanding your bill, my office can connect you with experts who can help you navigate your bill.
I know I'm taking a look.
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"Bridging the Gap" discussion on healthcare access
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I joined healthcare experts and colleagues including Sen. Tim Kearney late last month for a discussion on how we’re working to make PA a healthy place for everyone. Child Guidance Resource Centers organized the event, Bridging the Gap: Better Health for Every Neighbor to explore how to build healthier, more inclusive communities where healthcare disparities no longer exist.
I appreciated the thoughtful keynote address from Caroline Griffin, Director of Rural & Civic Engagement for the PA Human Relations Commission, and the input from the healthcare professionals on the panel: The CGRC’s Sarah Messina, Jennifer Jordan from the Hospital & Healthsystem Association, and Lora Siegmann Werner from the Delaware County Health Department.
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Intern Jade meets with Radnor PD's social worker
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Last week our intern, Jade, met with Radnor PD’s Police Social Worker, Isabel Cook, to learn more about the department’s collaborative Community Support Unit. The unit brings together a police social worker and four police officers trained in crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques to respond to mental health and community-based concerns.
They discussed the program’s positive impact on the Radnor community, the importance of collaboration between social work and law enforcement, and how continued program and policy development can strengthen crisis response efforts across Pennsylvania. Isabel has created a model for police social work that is being implemented throughout the region.
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PSW Cook earned her well-respected Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) certification in November after completing the impressive three-thousand hours of supervised clinical work and completing the national exam! We appreciate her service to our community.
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Reading across America at the Rocky Run Y
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Thrilled to be a stop on the Read Across America train! So much fun to join the sweet students at the Rocky Run YMCA Early Learning Center on Monday to share two books that were my boys' favorites when they were little.
We roared like dinosaurs reading, “How Does a Dinosaur Say Goodnight?” and “How Does a Dinosaur Go to School?” and chatted about everything from missing unicorns to silly socks. This was just the food my soul needed! Thank you to the students and their amazing teachers for a fun morning and thank you to the Delaware County Intermediate Unit for coordinating!
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Delaware Valley Red Cross
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Our office had a very informative visit with leadership from the Delaware Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross. Executive Director Lynn Cohen and super volunteer Mary Ann Santangelo stopped by to teach us about the full breadth of the Red Cross’s services. We love partnering with them on our annual blood drives, but they do so much more in terms of emergency preparedness and prevention.
Their Sound the Alarm program sends out volunteers to install fire alarms in homes in need of them and provide education to residents about proper usage and fire safety. This is a completely free program with no income requirements!
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Details to be announced for our Zoom Seminar on
Medicare Supplemental Plans on April 29th
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Grants available for electric vehicle charging stations
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PennDOT is accepting applications for grants for charging stations for electric vehicles. Contractors installing a publicly available community charger may apply by August 21. The grants can be used to plan, design, construct, operate, and maintain charging stations across Pennsylvania. For more information, visit the PennDOT Website.
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Businesses and Nonprofits: A reminder about filing your annual report
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The PA Department of State is reminding businesses owners and non-profits about the annual report that must be filed each year with the Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations. The reports contain information such as current addresses and officer names that must be kept current. The bureau has a streamlined online system which makes filing easy.
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Community Events & Announcements
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Enjoy fresh stromboli, pizza, and desserts while supporting the Newtown Square Fire Company . Every order helps fund fire protection, emergency response, and safety education for our community. Place your order here and know that your order is helping keep Newtown Square prepared and protected.
Orders will be accepted until 3/20/26 and can be picked up at the fire station on 4/4/26.
Please read below for information about each item:
- Pizza- Large, 16' fully prepared using our zesty marinara, mozzarella, and delivered fresh.
- Stromboli- All stromboli are 19-25 oz made with a signature artisan bread dough & delivered frozen.
- Cookie Dough- Cookie dough is packaged fresh in three one-pound tubs.
- Cheesecake- Frozen cheesecakes made with real Philadelphia Cream Cheese.
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Spring is around the corner — and so is one of Newtown’s favorite community traditions!
The Friends of the Newtown Public Library will hold their Spring Book Sale March 13–15 in the Community Room at the Newtown Public Library. Browse thousands of donated items, including books for all ages and interests, plus DVDs, CDs, and vinyl records. Proceeds help support programs and services at our beloved library. Sale Hours are as follows:
- Friday, March 13
• First Look Early Admission: 8:00–10:00 AM ($10 fee)
• Open to the public: 10:00 AM–5:00 PM
- Saturday, March 14: 10:00 AM–5:00 PM
- Sunday, March 15: 1:00–4:00 PM — $6 a bag
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The Chesco Pops will perform favorite American works by John Williams, Leonard Bernstein, Leroy Anderson, and more. Celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States, the Chesco Pops presents the first of two concert series highlighting American music meant to inspire and uplift. Concert highlights include the favorite Symphonic Dances from "West Side Story."
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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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