Rep. Nelson's Senior Fair is 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sept. 19, 2024, in Elkins Park Read more
My staff and I are pleased to announce that we will be holding a Springfield Town Hall from 6:30-8 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 15 the Free Library of Springfield Township, 8900 Hawthorne Ln in Wyndmoor. Read more
RSVP here Read more
Welcome to my weekly newsletter, where you will find legislative information and updates from Cheltenham, Jenkintown and Springfield along with information about state-related programs and services. Read more
We secured nearly $3 million in incremental funding for our local school districts and scored some significant tax incentives for child care and college savings programs. Read more
HARRISBURG, July 9 – The Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus today laid out a plan for reforming Pennsylvania’s adult use cannabis laws, with a focus on criminal justice reform and social equity. “It is time that we invest in the restoration of communities that have been impacted, we return incarcerated persons to their families, and we provide entrepreneurs with a pathway to lead in this emerging marketplace,” said PLBC chair, state Rep. Napoleon Nelson. The PLBC is advocating for expungement of prior cannabis offenses and the reimbursement of assets forfeited during cannabis-related arrests to be included in any legislation that would legalize marijuana for recreational use. “So many stakeholders and lawmakers in other states have already affirmed these moral imperatives and we are convinced that Pennsylvania will do the same,” Nelson said. “We’re in a commonwealth that has a number of dispensaries, none of which I believe are owned by Black folk — zero — unacceptable,” said state Rep. Chris Rabb, co-founder of the PA Cannabis Caucus. “The origins of the racist war on drugs and cannabis prohibition have been directly and insidiously connected to Black folk and to any number of people who have been marginalized over generations.” “To do so while thousands of Pennsylvanians have their lives, Read more
Happy Friday and holiday weekend to whomever is reading this! A few quick hitters for this weekend’s update. Read more
HARRISBURG, June 25 – A bill that would further empower counties in criminal justice oversight passed the state House Monday, announced its sponsor, state Rep. Napoleon Nelson. Specifically, H.B. 1509 would remedy a gap in Pennsylvania law by which Montgomery County cannot appoint a county jail oversight board. It is the only county without this option. The bill would also create the option of adding public members to prison oversight boards statewide. “Over 70,000 Pennsylvania residents are incarcerated, nearly half of them in county jails, prisons or correctional facilities,” said Nelson, D-Montgomery. “These residents and their families retain the right to proper jail governance while incarcerated. Well-appointed oversight boards are a critical measure to ensure and protect that right.” Oversight boards can consist of county commissioners along with other designated officers. They exert significant influence over how county prisons operate. “The added transparency and accountability are the keys to effective reform. Including an array of members on a board that are elected officials and members of the public ensures that the board reflects as many concerns and values as possible,” Nelson said. “This can lead to initiatives that support inmate reintegration and reduce recidivism rates. An expanded board can also enhance monitoring and reporting functions, Read more
Heat warnings are issued when temperatures are forecasted to reach levels that pose significant health risks, especially for vulnerable populations such as the elderly, young children and individuals with preexisting health conditions. Read more
H.B. 1754 would require health insurance coverage for biomarker testing, which can be used to determine more targeted treatment for many diseases and conditions, including cancer. Read more
The march to fair school funding has taken another step forward this week. Read more
We have heard your concerns regarding the proposed Aqua rate increase and have been in touch with Aqua. Read more
Blessed Memorial Day to you all. Read more
Join the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency in June, which is National Homeownership Month, as it presents “The Path to Homeownership” series on the home-buying process. Read more
HARRISBURG, May 16 – Members of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus released the following statements regarding the passing of former PLBC Chair James R. Roebuck: Said PLBC Chair Napoleon Nelson (D-Montgomery): “James R. Roebuck was a true statesman, a lawmaker who was a tireless advocate for his West Philadelphia neighbors and for every resident of this Commonwealth. “His legacy, particularly as a champion of our education system and the young people that he poured his soul into, will undoubtedly leave its mark on our society for generations. His long-lasting tenure as the Democratic chairman of the House Education Committee perfectly embodied our caucus’s approach to lifelong learning. It is heartening to see his life being celebrated by colleagues and community leaders throughout Pennsylvania. In 2021, the PA Legislative Black Caucus renamed our student scholarship in his honor. Nearly two dozen high school students from Black and brown communities from across the state will be awarded an investment in their continued academic pursuits in the coming week, a fitting testament to the inspiring work of Chairman Roebuck. “His impact as a pioneer, mentor and friend within the PA Legislative Black Caucus will undoubtedly be remembered and cherished. We have lost a true thought leader, a shining example of servant leadership that current and future members will surely aspire to. Our Read more
The Borough of Jenkintown is less than one square mile and registers just north of 4,500 residents. The entire borough is walkable though there seems to be an inordinately high number of runners from Jenkintown (and a LOT of avid bikers). Jenkintown has a phenomenal school system, one of Pennsylvania’s 75 Model School Districts, that serves a little over 700 students in the same tight knit fashion as you would expect from a small private school system. Jenkintown has more elected officials per capita than most anywhere in PA, two volunteer fire companies located 500 feet from each other, a town center, a butterfly garden, the Arts Garage and an old-timey movie theatre, a phenomenal restaurant scene and an excellent food pantry (it’s only fitting). With the exception of their annual school Red and Blue Fair, which splits the borough into two in a playfully competitive Hatfield and McCoy style rivalry and in which I pick NO sides, Jenkintown is not so much a small municipality, but a large neighborhood with the flare and spunk of a 4-year-old girl in soccer cleats, a tutu, a “girls rule” tee shirt, some glasses and a tiara. There is nothing not to love about Jenkintown. Read more
Nobody has asked me to offer commencement remarks to some university’s Class of 2024, but I’m not in my feelings about it because I can’t imagine what I would say that hasn’t already been said. Your life has always been online. You got cell phones in middle school, grew up with Iron Man and Captain America, were called to action by Greta, were shut down through COVID but couldn’t stay silent when George Floyd was killed. You are deeply connected through TikTok and have had more conversations about Israeli-Palestinian affairs than your parents did when they were your age. You’re pissed that two old men are running for President in a bitterly divided country and you’re not exceptionally sure what space there is for you in this expensive, corrupted economy… especially with these student loan payments coming. Read more
Margaret Mead famously stated: “Never underestimate the power of a small group of committed people to change the world. In fact, it is the only thing that ever has.” Read more
2024–25 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA ® ): What You Need to Know: There are major changes to the 2024–25 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA ® ) form. The new FAFSA form is now available. On average, it takes about 30 minutes to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA can be completed online at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa. The 2024–25 FAFSA form will expand eligibility for federal student aid. What You Can Do Now : Watch the “2024–25 FAFSA FAQs” playlist to better for a look at what has changed on the new form. Use the Federal Student Aid Estimator to get an estimate of what your aid could be once the FAFSA is completed. If you did not submit a 2023–24 FAFSA form, make sure to create your StudentAid.gov account —and remember your username and password so you can access and submit the 2024–25 FAFSA form when it’s available. Find out if your parent(s) or spouse will need to be contributors (contribute their info on your FAFSA form). If your parent(s) or spouse will need to contribute to your form, make sure each contributor creates their own StudentAid.gov account . Watch our “Preparing for the FAFSA Form” to better understand what information and documents you’ll need to complete the FAFSA form. 2024–25 FAFSA ® Deadlines : Read more
HARRISBURG, April 25 – State Reps. Chris Rabb, D-Phila., and Napoleon Nelson, D-Montgomery, have introduced legislation ( H.B. 2232 ) that would establish the Uniform Partition of Heirs Property Act in Pennsylvania. The legislation would make sure all inheritors are informed when one inheritor wants to sell their share of the property. It would also require a neutral appraiser to determine the property's fair market value. Lastly, it would provide other inheritors the first chance to buy the share of the person who wants to sell. “The passing of a loved one is heartbreaking and challenging on its own, and when they don’t have an estate plan in place it can lead to some difficult decisions and uncomfortable situations for the person’s heirs,” Rabb said. “This leads to the person’s heirs taking ownership of the property as tenants-in-common — a form of ownership that frequently leads to heirs losing their land through forced partition sale and to families losing immense inherited wealth to real estate speculators.” This legislation would provide additional due process protections to prevent Pennsylvanians from the forced sale of inherited property, Rabb said. “This bill is a piece of the puzzle in creating more fair and equitable housing throughout Pennsylvania,” Nelson said. The legislation is currently in the Pennsylvania House Housing and Read more
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