It's a beautiful day in the 168th!

As we enjoy the temperature ups and downs of fall in our commonwealth, we are also enjoying a lot of important successes across the 168th. Thanks to effective collaborations with our local municipalities, we are realizing a lot of success when it comes to bringing back state funding to our communities through grant programs.

In an e-newsletter last month, I told you about grants awarded in our district to support projects concerning new sewer infrastructure, sustainability, community building rehabilitation, and trail expansion.

Since then, we’ve also received the good news that the state Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources will award a $500,000 grant to Radnor Township to support its ongoing project to extend the multi-use Radnor Trail.

I was proud to work with Sen. Cappelletti to help Radnor Twp. officials secure these funds.

The project centers around construction of about a half mile of trail from Enck Park near South Radnor Chester Road to connect it to I-476 and a pedestrian culvert. It will also add to the trail ADA access, landscaping, and other related site improvements.

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As I write, we are 19 days from Election Day, November 3. 

I’m told by county officials that mail-in ballots are still being mailed out to those who requested them; you can check the status of your ballot here. Remember, all mail-in ballots must be received in a drop box by 8:00 p.m. on November 3. Be sure to follow all the instructions for completing your ballot – please don’t return it naked! ??

The last day to register to vote is October 19, and the deadline to request a mail-in ballot is October 27. You can get all the information you need about voting, including locations of ballot drop boxes, by visiting vote.pa.gov or calling the Delaware County Bureau of Elections at their election hotline: 610-891-VOTE. You can also check out these helpful frequently asked questions.

Remember...your vote is your voice! Use it!

I hope everyone has a great weekend, and we will further discuss the decision to keep Mattingly on as manager next time. In the meantime, let’s definitely say a prayer for our banged-up Birds with an emphatic, “Go Birds!”

In service,

Upcoming Events

IMPORTANT: Please register for the E-recycling part of the event by tapping the graphic or clicking here: E-recycling Sign-up

In this edition:

Legislative happenings

Last week in Harrisburg we passed legislation that I believe is critical to watching out for your everyday needs. A good portion of these bills are related to protecting your and your family’s health. 

Four pieces of legislation (which passed with strong bipartisan support!) would improve menopause care for women in PA:

• HB 1345 – Medicaid Coverage for Menopause – Would require Pennsylvania’s Medical Assistance programs to cover a range of hormonal treatments for menopause symptoms, helping ensure women enrolled in Medicaid can access the care they need without additional financial barriers.
   
• HB 1346 – Insurance Coverage for Menopause – Would require private insurers to provide coverage for hormonal and non-hormonal therapies used to treat menopause symptoms, including menopause resulting from a hysterectomy.
   
• HB 1411 – Menopause Education – Would direct the Pennsylvania Department of Health to work with health care providers to expand education and awareness about menopause ad perimenopause, including symptoms, treatment options and long-term health impacts.
   
• HB 2135 – Menopause and Perimenopause Workplace Protections and Accommodations Act – Would establish reasonable workplace accommodations for employees experiencing menopause and perimenopause symptoms, including flexible breaks, access to cold water, temperature adjustments and other practical supports.

Another health-related bill we approved would look out for PA’s youngest residents. HB 507, also known as the Baby Food Protection Act, would protect infants from toxic metals in food by establishing testing and labeling requirements under the state Dept. of Agriculture. Baby food would be affixed with labels showing the amount of metals detected, and food that exceeds specified limits would be banned from sale.

We also passed HB 1652, which would add Gaucher disease to PA’s standard newborn screening program, which already tests for more than 10 other conditions. Early detection is key to treating this rare genetic condition, which causes an enzyme deficiency that leads to lifelong health problems.

Breast cancer awareness

Last week, members of the House and the Senate joined the PA Breast Cancer Coalition to kick off Breast Cancer Awareness month.

As usual, we marked the occasion by turning the Capitol Fountain pink.

One of the first pieces of legislation I had the opportunity to vote on in 2023 was Senate Bill 8, which went on to become Act 1 of 2023. It was the first bill signed into law by newly elected Governor Josh Shapiro, it requires insurers to cover preventive breast and ovarian cancer screenings and BRCA-related genetic testing for high-risk individuals at no cost.

As I celebrated this win for the people of PA with my colleagues, I had no idea I would be diagnosed with breast cancer in July 2023 and soon undergo surgery and radiation. I’m now on hormone therapy to prevent a recurrence. As far as treatment goes, I feel like I had it easy and am forever grateful to the fabulous physicians and therapists at Main Line Health who found it early and guided my treatment.

I was also thrilled to support Senate Bill 88, enacted in November 2025 to support early detection efforts. The law eliminates all out-of-pocket costs for diagnostic breast imaging (mammograms, breast MRIs, and ultrasounds) when ordered to follow up on an abnormal screening result.

PA has some of the strongest laws that expand free breast cancer screening and diagnostic imaging for high-risk and average-risk women under state-regulated insurance. There are many options out there for women and men to access breast screenings. Learn more at the websites for the PA Breast Cancer Coalition and the Pennsylvania Breast & Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (PA-BCCEDP).

Support for emergency care at Riddle Hospital

I was thrilled to join my Delco colleagues Rep. Leanne Krueger, Rep. Jennifer O'Mara, Sen. John Kane, and Sen. Tim Kearney to acknowledge PA's $4 million investment to support Riddle Hospital and the healthcare heroes who staff it.  

We had the opportunity to visit the hospital and talk with nurses and physicians on the frontline of care in the emergency department, which has seen exponential growth in patient volume since private equity thieves brought about the demise of Crozer Health.

The investment was appropriated from the general fund through the 2026-27 budget process. As a delegation, we fight every year to make sure these funds come home to Delco. We are not the only county facing a healthcare crisis, and ensuring these dollars come home to support the staff at Riddle is a priority we fight for.

This reinvestment of taxpayer dollars by the state has become even more crucial as people continue losing health insurance due to Congress’ decisions to let ACA tax credits expire and to make devastating cuts to Medicaid.

I want to thank MLH CEO Ed Jimenez and Riddle’s President Jim Paradis for their collaboration on this effort.

State funding granted to projects across the 168th

One of the best parts of my job is being able to bring state dollars back to our local communities!

Last week I stopped by the Wayne Art Center to present Executive Director Nancy Campbell with $100,000 for the roofing project that was recently completed to replace flashings, shingles, and weatherproofing. These improvements will ensure that this cultural hub has a steady roof for the next 30 years! While I was there, I got a sneak peek of the watercolor exhibit now on display – see the Community Events section below for more info!

Monday night, I joined the Newtown Township supervisors and Sen. Tim Kearney in honoring the accomplishments of the Newtown Edgmont Little League 10u and 12u teams for being District 19 champions and District 19 and Section 8 champions respectively! While I was there, Sen. Kearney and I presented leadership of NELL with a check to fund the upgrade of the bathroom facilities at the field by removing the existing wells and getting them hooked up to municipal sewer.

Congratulations to the players and coaches on your big wins!

I can’t wait to see the facilities improvements next season!

In Edgmont Township, I presented a check to the Board of Supervisors and Assistant to the Township Manger, Jess Redding, for remediation of asbestos in the township building basement and renovations to turn it into a community space! This will be a welcome improvement and offer residents a place to gather for municipal and other events.

Main Line Health / SAFE-T system

In the U.S., more than 50% of adult women, 30% of young girls, and 10% of young boys will experience sexual assault.

Recently, I attended a demonstration by Main Line Health and Penn State Health on how they are expanding access to sexual assault nurse examiners (SANEs) as stipulated by Act 59 of 2023 (which I was proud to support).

Using the SAFE-T system, well-trained forensic nurses in these health systems are providing trauma informed care to victims of sexual assault. They’re also collecting the evidence needed to seek justice.

I thank all the healthcare providers, first responders, and community advocates for collaborating on this program to help support victims when they are most vulnerable.

Tour of Williamson Trade School

Marie and I spent a beautiful fall day at Williamson College of the Trades on a tour with a student ambassador, Seth, last Thursday. We saw the incredible work of Williamson students who are honing their chosen crafts of carpentry, electrical, machinery, masonry, landscape construction, and power plant operations, and learned about the rigorous standards they are held to while completing their education.

Williamson also has the honor of having the largest collection of Frank Furness buildings on its campus. It was amazing to hear about the multiple job offers the seniors have waiting after graduation, and the internships they’ve found through Williamson’s world-class job fair.

We joined President Mike Rounds and members of the administration and board for lunch in the cafeteria to talk about how Williamson sustains their tuition-free education.

We also discussed how we can highlight the integral role the trades play in higher ed and workforce development in PA.

Such a fun morning learning more about this hidden gem of Delco and meeting the well-rounded young men who live and learn there!

Veterans Pancake Breakfast

We were back at the Barn at Tyler Arboretum for my annual Veterans Breakfast, serving up pancakes and hot coffee to the bravest of the 168th! We also had some special guests speak to the group including Col. Arther Jenkins, Delaware County Military and Veterans Affairs Director; Lt. Col. David Fittipoldi, representing the PA DMVA; and President Lt. Col., Ret. Mike Rounds of Williamson.

To celebrate America’s 250th, we asked attendees to share their stories of service to create an oral history. We heard about how military training gave folks skills for their second careers, about a dog named Max who helped safeguard troops in the jungles of Vietnam, and the logistics of refueling jets during the war on terror.

It was a lovely morning celebrating service and democracy.

Visit to the Grayson School

Yesterday, I visited my friends at the Grayson School to see what they have been up to in the new school year and how they have utilized state grant funding to enhance their already robust programming. I met with a group of fourth and fifth graders to answer questions about how to become a state representative and what is involved in legislating. The Grayson kids are so intelligent, I knew I had to be on my toes!

Thank you to Melissa Bilash, Founder and Head of School, my friend Kimm Doherty, Head of the Lower School, and COO Jenny Nance for welcoming me back!

Fair Acres Fall Fest

Team Borowski was out at Fair Acres’ Fall Fest to meet with residents and join the festivities! Food trucks, shredding trucks, crafters and lots of resources for the community to enjoy, including a career fair.

I always love visiting Fair Acres and seeing the friendly faces of the staff, including Executive Director Bill D’Amico, and Sue Harrer, who ensures residents always have fun activities to participate in, bring this whole event together!

FYI

New SEPTA Regional Rail schedules

SEPTA announced that new Regional Rail schedules will go into effect on select lines on Sunday, October 18.  The new schedules include minor improvements that translate to more predictable and reliable service.  Some Regional Rail Lines will continue to operate on schedules dated July 5, 2026, and customers can visit this page for more information.

Schedule Update Highlights:

• More consistent pairings between lines on different ends of the network to prevent delays from having a wider impact, and improve predictability.
• Paoli/Thorndale schedules have been adjusted by 5 minutes through Nov. 21 to account for expected delays due to Amtrak work between Overbrook and 30th St stations.
• The Media/Wawa Line Service is getting new AM peak-hour express train patterns to provide more consistent service. Select trains adjusted to operate between 6 minutes earlier and 14 minutes later. 

Motorboat Fuel Consumption Survey

The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) is conducting its annual fuel consumption survey of motorboat registrants. The results will be used to determine the Oil Company Franchise Tax refund that PFBC receives on behalf of registered boaters.

The survey is available now through mid-November. A random sampling of approximately 20,000 motorboat registrants will be asked to report their boat fuel consumption over the six-month period from April 1, 2026, through September 30, 2026. (Postcard and email invitations were sent to a random sampling of owners with a registered motorboat.)

If you receive one, please help out the PFBC by completing the short survey! Click here for more information.

PennDOT Innovations Challenge for students

Applications are open for the tenth edition of PennDOT Innovations Challenge, in which high school students from around the state are invited to use their problem-solving, creative and strategic-thinking abilities to solve real-world transportation challenges in a competition among their peers. The Innovations Challenge is open to all Pennsylvania students in grades 9-12. Details are at the link above. The submission deadline is January 29, 2027.

Reminders about voting by mail

You can be confident that if you’re a registered voter in PA, you can vote by mail safely and securely. You may return your completed mail ballot in the mail or at a designated county drop box.

Completed mail-in and absentee ballots must be received by the Delaware County Bureau of Elections by 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. 

Community Events & Announcements

A free, virtual event in November will give students and educators the opportunity to connect directly with professionals working in high-demand health care careers.

The Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania will host its second annual Virtual Health Care Career Exploration on Thursday, November 12 and 19, at 9 a.m. EST. Participants will have the opportunity to engage with presenters, ask questions, and learn more about in-demand health care careers. This year’s program will feature medical assistants, physical and occupational therapy professionals, nurses, emergency medical technicians, pharmacy technicians, and sterile processing technicians.

Students will learn what these professionals do, explore education and training pathways, and hear firsthand advice about preparing for a career in health care. Registration is available now.

Pennsylvania State Capitol

28-B East Wing
Harrisburg, PA 17120
(717) 772-2005

District Office

24 S. Newtown Street Rd., Suite 100
Newtown Square, PA 19073
(484) 427-2884

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