Dear Neighbor,
I’m writing following a week of House session in Harrisburg. We passed important bills to enhance our communities and improve the quality of life for Pennsylvanians.
Foremost, I voted to make sure health care under the Affordable Care Act is protected in Pennsylvania. The Affordable Care Act has saved lives, protected people and grown our economy here in Pennsylvania, but the ACA is under constant attack at the federal level.
Health care should not be a luxury and neither should access to basic services that most of us take for granted. By protecting access to these services, we’re protecting the health of our neighbors, our families and our friends – today and tomorrow. You can tell the Pennsylvania Senate to concur with our bills here.
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Thanks to the ACA and our work in the legislature to create Pennie, nearly every Pennsylvanian is covered with high-quality, affordable health insurance.
We also moved to protect young workers by increasing penalties for child labor violations, and we worked to make it easier for individuals with disabilities to renew a driver's license or identification card.
All of our bills need to be voted for in the Senate, too. I will keep you updated on bills that are passed and signed into law.
Last session, I voted for – and the governor signed into law – a bill that allows seniors to not count the total dollar amount, including face value and interest earned, of redeemed savings bonds when they apply for either the Pharmaceutical Assistance Contract for the Elderly or PACE Needs Enhancement Tier, otherwise known as PACE and PACENET.
We were finally able to gather for a ceremonial signing, and I was pleased to take part as a sponsor of the bill.
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In other Capitol news, I was proud to be part of a tribute to West Chester's Bayard Rustin, Rustin was an American political activist, a prominent leader in social movements for civil rights, socialism, nonviolence, and gay rights. He was also the principal organizer of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in 1963.
Dedicating Mach 17 as Bayard Rustin Day in Pennsylvania helps solidify his legacy. Thank you to Rep. Andre Carroll for leading our tribute.
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Finally, a huge thank you to everyone who came out to our paper shredding event this month! It was great to see so many of you taking advantage of this opportunity to safely dispose of sensitive documents and protect against identity theft.
We’re grateful for your participation and commitment to sustainability – together, we shredded hundreds of pounds of paper, ensuring it will be properly recycled!
A special thank you to Rep. Gina H. Curry and House Speaker Rep. Joanna McClinton for helping make this event a success. We look forward to hosting more community events in the future – stay tuned!
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Take advantage of PA’s Child and Dependent Care Enhancement Tax Credit this tax season
I’m reminding eligible residents to take advantage of Pennsylvania’s Child and Dependent Care Enhancement Tax Credit before the April 15, 2025, tax filing deadline. This credit, expanded under a law passed by the General Assembly, provides financial relief to working families with child or dependent care expenses.
The credit matches 100% of the federal Child Care Tax Credit, offering a maximum of $1,050 for one child/dependent and $2,100 for two or more, with minimums of $600 and $1,200, respectively. Eligibility includes expenses for children under 13, spouses, or other dependents who are physically or mentally incapable of self-care. The credit is refundable, meaning taxpayers can receive a full refund after tax obligations.
To claim the credit, taxpayers must file a PA-40 form along with PA Schedule DC, Federal Form 2441, and 1040 Schedule 3. The Department of Revenue encourages filing through myPATH, Pennsylvania’s free online tax filing system.
You can find more information about the tax credit here or contact my office.
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Senior Breakfast is March 31
Area seniors are invited to my Senior Brunch from 10 a.m. to noon on March 31 at St Joseph’s Senior Home, 502 Woodlawn Ave. in Collingdale.
We’ll discuss state legislative news as well as valuable programs and services designed to enhance the lives of seniors in Pennsylvania. I look forward to seeing you there!
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REAL ID Deadline is May 7, 2025!
Beginning May 7, Pennsylvanians will need a REAL ID, or a valid passport or military ID, to board a domestic flight or enter a federal building. Here’s what you need:
1 Proof of Identity (Passport or Birth Certificate)
1 Proof of Social Security Number
2 Proofs of Residency
Proof of name changes (if applicable)
For more information, visit PA.gov/REALID. To find dates and locations for PennDOT REAL ID hours in our region, visit: https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dmv/driver-services/real-id/real-id-days.html
You can also come to a REAL ID Information Session on April 16 with the Delaware County Register of Wills Clerk of the Orphan’s Court – especially if you have a name change!
When: April 16th 4:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Where: 6 S. Springfield Road, Clifton Heights PA 19018
Call to RSVP: 484-200-1563
Thank you to Vincent A. Rongione, Esq., Delaware County Register of Wills for clarifying the guidelines and requirements for complying with the REAL ID deadline related to services offered in his office.
In Delaware County, the Register of Wills also serves as the Clerk of the Orphan’s Court and is responsible for issuing marriage licenses. The office is the main repository for these records and issues roughly 2,500-3,000 new marriage licenses per year. The Register’s office plays a small but vital role in this process because one of the historically most common reasons for the name on your birth certificate not matching your current legal name is marriage, and one form of Proof of Name Change is a certified copy of your marriage license.
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We are also partnering with Senator Tim Kearney and Delaware County Elected Officials to host a REAL ID Webinar from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. April 22. Register for the webinar at www.senatorkearney.com/REALID to learn more about REAL ID.
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Supplies Drive for Family Support Line’s Room to Heal
For the month of April, our office will be hosting a supply drive for Family Support Line's Room to Heal. Learn more here: Room to Heal - Family Support Line.
What We Accept:
- Bedding
- Blankets
- Journals
- Toiletries
- Small toys
- Teddy Bears
- Under garments
- Socks
- Pajamas
We do not accept used items, adult items or furniture.
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Education Job Fair is April 8
DCIU is excited to partner with Delaware County’s 15 public school districts to host the Delaware County Education Career Fair on Tuesday, April 8 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the DCIU in Morton.
This county-wide career fair will bring together representatives from every Delaware County public 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, bus driver and monitors, and more. Hundreds of positions are available across the county!
For more information, visit here.
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Pet Expo is April 26
Join my staff and me for a Pet Expo in partnership with Upper Darby Township on April 26. We’ll discuss legislation that affects our pets, and help you register them!
Date: April 26
Rain date: May 3
Time: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Location: Scullion Recreation Area, Whitehall Drive in Clifton Heights
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Property Tax and Rent Rebate Sign Up Event is May 7
Join Sen. Tim Kearney and me for a Property Tax and Rent Rebate Program Sign Up Event. Please call (610) 544-6120 to register.
Date: May 7
Time: 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Location: Centro de Apoyo, 2235 Garrett Road in Drexel Hill.
The Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program supports homeowners and renters across Pennsylvania. This program provides a rebate ranging from $380 to $1,000 to eligible older adults and people with disabilities age 18 and older.
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Mental Health Fair is May 28
Join me and my office for a Mental Health Fair. Along with community partners, my office will share resources for mental health services and provide state services.
Date: Wednesday, May 28
Time: 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Location: Collingdale Municipal Building Gym, 800 MacDade Blvd. Collingdale.
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Expungement Clinic is June 10
Learn what it takes to clear your record of certain offenses in Pennsylvania.
Date: June 10
Time: 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Location: John McBlain Community Center in Aldan
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Property Tax Rent Rebate and SEPTA Senior ID Clinic is June 26
If you can't make my event May 7, come apply for your property tax or rent rebate and get your picture taken for a SEPTA Senior ID in June.
Date: June 26
Time: 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Location: Clifton Heights Borough Building's Council Room 30 S. Springfield Road in Clifton Heights.
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Pennsylvania State Capitol
106 A East Wing
PO Box 202163
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2163
(717) 783-8099
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District Office
6 S. Springfield Rd.
Clifton Heights, PA 19018
(484) 200-8262
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