We have recently switched to a new email program. For those who have previously received our emails, much of what you see will look familiar. For those who are new, welcome! I send out weekly emails to update residents on local and state issues that impact our communities. If you are interested in receiving these emails each week, please click here to subscribe.
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This was a busy week of meetings, phone calls, preparing legislation for the new term, and tons of reading, but I also attended two press conferences that celebrated the great work that I get to be a part of. Two different press conferences. Two different vibes.
On Wednesday, I was proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with colleagues and medical experts to celebrate the passage of Act No. 102 of 2024, a bill that creates a resource and education campaign to fight against postpartum depression in young mothers. This legislation is a part of the “Momnibus” package of bills designed to attack maternal mortality rates by offering assistance and reducing the stigma of depression for new moms.
This was an intimate event at Penn Hospital celebrating family and hard-fought achievements, and Reps. Cephas, Curry and Fiedler are some of the hardest working legislators that I know. I was proud to stand beside them and offer my support and that of the PA Legislative Black Caucus.
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I attended a press conference this morning announcing emergency funding for SEPTA. The contrast between Wednesday’s event and this morning’s is drastic. I joined Gov. Shapiro, PA House Speaker Joanna McClinton, House and PA Senate leadership and colleagues, Mayor Parker and Philly city councilmembers, labor leaders, SEPTA brass, and rank and file transportation workers in Frankford to announce the Governor’s $153M emergency funding to avert a pending fare increase for the cash-strapped transit system. We called on the Senate to act responsibly and pass transportation funding immediately upon the start of the new year while celebrating the workers that keep the Southeastern portion of the state running on schedule.
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I admit that I didn’t need as much pomp and circumstance as we had and didn’t stay in my seat long. I was happy to let the dignitaries take the microphone and celebrate this lifeline while I spoke with the workers that are the backbone of the system. Here are some photos, including a shot of me with Santiago, a six-year SEPTA bus driver, neighbor in Elkins Park and Cheltenham High School alum. I also got a photo with Officer Heppard, a resident on the Eastern side of Cheltenham and a 15-year veteran of the SEPTA Transit police.
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These two press conferences weren’t for earth shattering legislative accomplishments, but I would absolutely argue that jobs and even lives will be saved by this work. That’s not a bad week.
Happy Holidays and GO BIRDS!!!
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We are giving away Thanksgiving turkeys to constituents in need, and we were just provided with plenty more! We want to make sure everyone who needs a turkey can get one, so if you or a neighbor could be blessed this season, please RSVP by calling my office at (215) 572-5210. Information on when and where to pick up the turkeys will be provided to those who RSVP.
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Upcoming Library Outreach Hours
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We will be going around the district and visiting your community libraries to bring access to state programs and resources closer to home.
From 2-4 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 4, we will be at the Jenkintown Library to assist with a variety of constituent needs. Please stop by and engage with us!
Further library outreach hours will be announced soon.
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We know many in our district have noticed an unusual taste or smell from their tap water over the past week, so the following is an update provided by AQUA.
AQUA has confirmed that first and foremost, the water is safe to drink. The noticeable taste and smell, often reported as a stronger smell of chlorine, was traced to their Neshaminy Plant, which supplies water to portions of Montgomery & Bucks Counties. AQUA believes the recent drought conditions have led to changes with their source water that are impacting the taste and smell of the drinking water. Their laboratory tests confirm the water is safe to drink, and they expect the issue will resolve itself over the next several days after we receive long-awaited rain, in addition to adjustments made to their treatment process.
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Our office is participating in the Montgomery County Recorder of Deeds’ Veterans Holiday Drive, which benefits the Veterans Multi-Service Center.
We will be collecting hats, shirts, gloves, scarves, new underwear, small hygiene products & women’s hygiene products, laundry detergent pods, non-perishable food items, and individually wrapped snacks through Dec. 31. Please consider donating to help local veterans!
Call us at (215) 572-5210 or the Recorder of Deeds at (610) 278-3289 for more information.
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Click the image below for information on township updates!
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State Programs and Other Events
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Montco DA Phone Scam Alert
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Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele and Sheriff Sean Kilkenny are alerting the public to a phone scam that has returned to our area where the perpetrator impersonates a Montgomery County sheriff.
In the call, the scammer tells the resident that a warrant has been issued for their arrest for failing to show up for jury duty, but that they can avoid arrest by providing payment to the sheriff’s department. This is a SCAM, and the Montco Detective Bureau is actively investigating.
For the full press release, click here.
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Let the Yellow Dot Program speak for you, in an emergency, when you can’t speak for yourself. Placing a Yellow Dot decal on a vehicle’s rear window alerts first responders to check the glove compartment for vital information to ensure the driver receives proper medical attention.
My office (at 115 E Glenside Ave., Suite 8, Glenside, PA 19038) has Yellow Dot pamphlets available. Please stop by anytime during business hours to pick one up and learn more about the program. For more information, click here.
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Utility Scam Awareness Day was this past week, so now is a good time to take a step back and remind yourself that if someone is threatening to turn off your PECO electric or natural gas service if you don’t pay immediately – it may be a scam.
Always remember that you should never give out your account and billing information to an unverified person. If you ever receive a suspicious phone call, text message, email, or have an unscheduled visit from someone in person claiming to be from PECO, do not share your information and call PECO directly at (800) 494-4000.
For more information on utility scams and what you can do to keep your information safe, click here.
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Countywide Education Job Fair
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The School Districts of Montgomery County are hiring! They are hosting a countywide education job fair, where you will have the opportunity to speak with school districts about open positions including teachers, paraprofessionals, nurses, bus drivers, food service, and more.
Register here. Walk-ins are welcome. Please bring copies of your resume.
When: 5 – 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 25
Where: 2 W. Lafayette St., Norristown, PA 19401
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Financial Aid & Planning Q&A with PHEAA
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Have you ever wanted to simply ask a few specific questions about financial aid and planning, yet couldn’t find anyone to ask? Maybe you have questions about planning for college, finding the right school, applying for scholarships and/or federal and state aid, comparing federal loans to private loans, etc.
Join Suzanne Sparrow and Daniel Wray of PHEAA for a wide-open, one-hour Q&A session on Tuesday, Dec. 3 from 12 – 1 p.m. Register here.
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Battle of the Bulge Veterans Survey
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House Resolution 275 calls to honor Pennsylvania’s significant involvement in the Battle of the Bulge for its 80th anniversary in December.
Rep. Chris Pielli, the resolution’s sponsor, has created a survey (which can be accessed here) requesting history and memories about the Battle. If you, a family member, or an acquaintance served during the Battle, please respond with details, locations, photos, and stories. By participating, you help honor the resolve, heroism, and sacrifice of the 28th Infantry Division of the PA Army National Guard during the Battle.
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