Dear Neighbor,
In honor of Presidents’ Day on Monday, Feb. 17, my offices will be closed. We’ll resume normal business hours on Tuesday, Feb. 18 and return all calls and emails from the extended weekend then.
Please note that most other state/local government offices, including PennDOT driver license and photo centers, will also be closed. If you plan on traveling to any government office on Monday, be sure to double check their holiday hours before leaving.
Gov. Shapiro Delivers Budget Address
In case you missed it, Gov. Josh Shapiro addressed a joint session of the General Assembly last week to outline his 2025-26 state budget proposal and vision for Pennsylvania. I was proud to be on the Escort Committee to open the session.
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The governor’s budget proposal is the direction Pennsylvania needs to head for a better future for all.
I commend the budget plan for its continued investments in public education. While last year’s budget began better balancing funding for Pennsylvania’s school districts, we still need to adequately fund the kind of public education that turns ALL today’s kids into tomorrow's leaders. This budget would deliver the second installment of over half a billion dollars for adequacy and tax equity, plus deliver a $75 million increase in basic education and a $40 million increase in special education funding.
Meanwhile, I am pleased to see investments in workforce development, including a proposed increase in the minimum wage to $15 an hour. Our minimum wage has bottomed out at the federal minimum of $7.25 an hour for 16 years now, and our minimum wage is the lowest of all our neighboring states. The budget plan also supports mass transit ($300 million for SEPTA) and transportation infrastructure, which are critical to our economy and workforce. It would also help more working families afford childcare by building on last year’s state-level Child Care Tax Credit, investing more than $50 million this year.
A budget is a moral covenant. Your state government must serve your needs first – not those of monied or special interests. I believe that with Gov. Shapiro’s bold vision, we will be able to achieve a budget for all Pennsylvanians again this year.
Meanwhile, Federal Cuts Loom
Many of you have expressed alarm over the actions of the new president’s administration, and I share those concerns.
As I mentioned, the Pennsylvania legislature is embarking on our constitutional responsibility to establish a state budget. Federal funding – our tax dollars returning to Pennsylvania – accounts for about a third of our state budget. Any federal cuts from Washington will impact our economy and stability. While a complete federal funding freeze is unlikely, there are still significant risks of cuts to Medicare, education, Social Security benefits, childcare, housing programs, food assistance, and more.
We did not elect Elon Musk or his billionaire cohorts to accumulate even more wealth at the expense of working people. Instead of cutting their own tax breaks or slush-fund corporate welfare, this administration is choosing to reduce funding for our communities. How we allocate our tax dollars reflects our values—we must prioritize the safety and well-being of our people over the concentration of wealth and power in the hands of a few.
To see federal funding at risk in PA, visit here.
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Honoring Black History Month: Poetry Contest for 9th-12th Graders!
Calling all high school students (Grades 9-12)! In honor of Black History Month, we invite you to create and share a poem that highlights a significant figure or moment in Black history. This is your chance to showcase your creativity and celebrate the impact of Black history.
Prizes:
- 1st Place Winner: Your poem will be shared, plus a citation for your outstanding work and a beautiful notebook/pen set!
- 2nd Place Winner: Your poem will be featured on our social media and e-blast!
How to Enter:
Let’s come together to honor the past, inspire the future, and celebrate Black History!
For more information, contact Kathy at 484-200-1563.
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Supporting Local Business
I had the privilege of meeting with local business owners this week, and along with my staff member Kathy, we heard inspiring stories and concerns that are unique to each business. At Musu’s Spot, a casual African eatery specializing in Liberian comfort food, we had the opportunity to meet with the owners: Musu, her husband, and her partner Josephine.
Their passion for providing great food and connecting with the community was evident.
We also visited Jamartash LLC, owned by Nartasha, a self-taught seamstress and fashion designer. Nartasha has made a name for herself by designing clothing for influencers and individuals across the globe. She works in bridal fashion and reports that prom season is one of her busiest seasons.
As your state representative, I deeply appreciate the contributions that each business owner makes to our district. That’s why I am seeking a state budget that invests in local economies – and I believe that we are on that path.
Thank you to all who took the time to share their stories, and I look forward to continuing to support our local businesses. If any business owners in the 163rd Legislative District would like me to visit their business, please feel free to reach out via email at karim@pahouse.net.
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Route 101 Trolley to Shut Down for Two Weeks
SEPTA will need to shut down the Route 101 Trolley for two weeks beginning with the first train this Saturday morning, Feb. 15, through the end of service Sunday, March 2, as it conducts a bridge rehabilitation project just south of Drexeline Station on the Route 101.
Throughout this outage, SEPTA shuttle buses will replace all Route 101 trolleys between 69th Street Transportation Center and end of line Media (Orange Street) Station. Customers should plan for approximately 15 minutes of additional travel time and look for signage at stations for bus boarding locations.
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Upper Darby Legal Aid on Homelessness is Saturday
Are you or someone you know experiencing housing loss or insecurity? Upper Darby Legal Aid Outreach on Homelessness is this Saturday, Feb. 15, and on future dates as listed.
You do not need to be homeless to attend.
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Family Support Line Tour
It was a pleasure visiting Family Support Line Executive Director Sarah Gibbons after a tour at Family Support Line’s new Children’s Advocacy Center. Thank you for opening your doors to me!
The Family Support Line’s Children’s Advocacy Center’s mission is to advance the prevention and treatment of child sexual abuse. Our community is so much better for their important work.
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Announcing SEPA’s Regional Meme Contest!
The SEPA Regional Tobacco-Free Coalition is doing a meme contest.
April 1, 2025, is “Take Down Tobacco, National Day of Action,” a day when young people can work to expose Big Tobacco’s tactics, counter marketing to youth and share their own messages instead. In partnership with TRU, SEPA is sponsoring a Meme Contest, so show us your funniest meme with an anti-vape message.
How to enter:
- Take a photo or create an image to promote anti-vaping or being nicotine-free.
- Upload your photo by March 10 to this free meme-generator: https://imgflip.com/memegenerator. Create your anti-vape or nicotine-free meme and add a prevention message.
- Fill out this Google form: https://forms.gle/bz5NpeGRLktyWhJB6.
- Winners will be announced on April 1, 2025, in honor of Take Down Tobacco, National Day of Action.
- The contest is open to any 6th to12th-grade student attending a school in the SEPA region. There will be three winners from each county receiving $50 gift card prizes and three overall regional winners, with the first-place winner receiving $100 gift card!
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Attention Delaware County Business Owners!
There will be a special event on Tuesday, Feb. 25 at The Inn at Villanova University: “Cultivating Synergy: Collaboration Between Higher Education and the Business Community of Delaware County.”
This event, hosted by the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Delaware County Economic Development Corporation and Workforce Development Board, is designed to connect local businesses with higher education institutions.
This exciting program will explore how businesses and educational organizations can work together to build a stronger talent pipeline, offering students valuable real-world experience while helping local employers find skilled workers. The event will include a panel discussion, networking opportunities, and presentations on how to create successful internship programs.
Don’t miss out on this chance to strengthen your business by connecting with the next generation of talent and boosting the local economy!
Event Details: ?? Date: Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025
?? Location: The Inn at Villanova University
?? Registration Fee: $20
?? Register Here: https://web.delcochamber.org/atlas/events/62359/details
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You can file your taxes with Direct File in PA
More than 2 million Pennsylvanians are now eligible to use Direct File, the IRS tool that allows you to file your federal and state tax returns online securely and for free. The IRS launched this tool last year, but 2025 will be the first year that PA residents can use it.
Check to see if you will be eligible to use Direct File to file this year’s federal and state tax returns at https://directfile.irs.gov/.
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Help with heating costs is available
We are in the thick of winter, so it’s important that you’re able to stay warm in your home! Applications are now open for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). This program can help you keep warm and safe during this time of year by helping with your heating bill. For more information on this program, to see if you qualify, and to apply, visit here or contact my office.
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Pennsylvania State Capitol
106-A East Wing
Harrisburg, PA 17120
(717) 783-8099
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District Office
6 S. Springfield Rd.
Clifton Heights, PA 19018
(484) 200-8262
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