Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility Rep. Napoleon Nelson | News Center

Chairs of PA Equality Caucus and Black Caucus call for Rep. Bernstine’s immediate resignation

(5 hours ago)

HARRISBURG, Oct. 1 – The leaders of Pennsylvania’s Legislative Black and Equality caucuses have issued the following statement calling for the resignation of state Rep. Aaron Bernstine, R-Butler/Lawrence, after recent reporting by PennLive : “We are deeply disturbed by reports of hateful, degrading, and untrue attacks directed at our friend and caucus member Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta. Such conduct is unacceptable and has no place in our legislature. Every member deserves to be treated with dignity and respect, regardless of their identity or background. “No one should have to endure personal attacks or hateful rhetoric to do their job. We will continue to stand firmly against hate, intimidation, and bullying, and to defend the dignity of every person who serves in this chamber. “Representative Bernstine must be held accountable for his words and actions, which have made him unfit to serve. Our constituents deserve a legislature that takes its responsibilities seriously and holds its members to a standard of decorum and decency worthy of public service. We are calling on all House members, but especially Republican leaders, to denounce his behavior, to join us in demanding his resignation, and for Republican leaders to identify the steps they will take to guard against this kind of pathetic behavior within their caucus.” Read more

 

$400K state grant will help address clothing insecurity for children in poverty in Greater Philadelphia region

(1 day ago)

A new state grant of $400,000 will help address clothing insecurity and provide other basic needs for children living in poverty in the Greater Philadelphia area, according to state Reps. Jennifer O’Mara, chair of the House Democratic Caucus Southeast Delegation, and Napoleon Nelson, D-Montgomery, chair of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus. Read more

 

Heading Back to Harrisburg - with Sights on AI

(Sep 25, 2026)

This week has been a whirlwind for me and my team. I had the pleasure of celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month at the annual PA Latino Convention in Easton. We also hosted our annual senior fair, a heavy lift for me and my staff, but always one of the most rewarding days of the year. Today I am attending the annual Cannabis Opportunities Conference in the city. The one item that I want to highlight in this email, however, is a conversation that I took part in Thursday evening around artificial intelligence and AI infrastructure. I know that many of you have written me letters advocating for the state to advance AI policy and it has certainly been in the news a great deal, and rightfully so. I want to make sure that I highlight here some points that I stated publicly yesterday evening. As a heads up, this is a pretty geeky post, but for those that are following this stuff, I believe I have a responsibility to tell you where I am heading. Read more

 

Serving Those Who Served: Veterans Resource Fair

(Sep 24, 2026)

Join State Representative Napoleon Nelson for a Veterans Resource Fair focused on connecting local veterans with the services and support they deserve. This event will honor the service and sacrifice of our veterans while providing direct access to information from state, local, and federal agencies. Rep. Nelson’s office will also be available to assist with state-related resources. Read more

 

Fall into Our Upcoming Events!

(Sep 18, 2026)

The first day of fall is almost here, and while the autumn breeze might be starting, the chill will not slow down my team and I ahead of our upcoming events! In the next two weeks, we will be hosting three events to help you connect with state resources and learn more about the work I do for you here at home and in Harrisburg. Read more

 

Remembering our History and Charting our Future

(Sep 11, 2026)

Twenty-five years, in the grand scheme of things, is not really a long time. Most of my favorite songs are older than 25 years old. I still have some favorite T-shirts that are older than 25 years old. We’re celebrating America’s 250th Birthday this year. Twenty-five years is just a chapter in this nation’s story. Read more

 

Senior Fair, Holiday Closings and Good Byes...

(Sep 03, 2026)

Hi all, this is Grace Richter. As my second year as an intern for Rep. Nelson ends, and I head off to grad school at Drexel to start my master’s in public policy, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on another great summer at Rep. Nelson’s office. Read more

 

It's Time for School - Here's How You Can Prepare!

(Aug 28, 2026)

The start of a new school year is always a crazy time for those of us with any proximity to it. Dropping kids off at college, the beginning of senior year, a new building, new teachers, 25 new students, and for those of you with your first child heading off to kindergarten, the anxiety and nervousness and excitement. The energy is palpable. For many of our parents and students, the beginning of a new school year is a challenge. Perhaps your last year was not a great one and, while you’re hoping to start fresh on Monday, starting fresh is not as easy as it sounds. Scars often take more than a few summer weeks to heal. Read more

 

Smooth Driving is Almost Here!

(Aug 21, 2026)

I know that we’re not done yet so this email may be a bit premature, but I am so proud and thankful to my staff, our municipal leaders and the teams at PennDOT and PECO for their efforts to repave our major roadways. In the past few years we have finally addressed the most visible signs of crumbling infrastructure in our communities, our dilapidated state roads. Read more

 

Nelson to introduce legislation to preserve equitable banking opportunities

(Aug 20, 2026)

HARRISBURG, Aug. 19 – Due to the federal government’s recent proposals that would weaken the obligation of banks to invest in low- and middle-income communities, state Rep. Napoleon Nelson, D-Montgomery, has announced his intention to introduce legislation that will preserve equitable banking in Pennsylvania. The legislation will be based on the Community Reinvestment Act , federal legislation passed in 1977 that requires commercial banks and savings associations to meet the needs of all borrowers in the local community – which has led to support for first time homebuyer programs, community health centers, accessibility improvements, land banks, daycare centers and small farmers across Pennsylvania and the nation. “The CRA is a vital tool that has been proven to be essential for small towns and marginalized communities throughout the commonwealth,” said Nelson . “Our Main Streets have historically been economic drivers of their communities, and our goal is to continue providing the much-needed resources. This legislation will ensure that every community in Pennsylvania has financial accessibility that fits their needs so that every one of our neighbors has a chance to shape their own future for the better. “It goes beyond recognizing our communities have needs but also acknowledges that these communities already have great things happening. These hidden gems are waiting for our investment; they Read more

 

Town Halls Aplenty - With One Near You!

(Aug 14, 2026)

It’s hard to believe summer is coming to an end! We had a great class of interns this summer, and it was wonderful to see how much they learned and grew during their time with us. We are certainly sad to see them go! As we head into the final weeks of summer, my team and I are looking forward to spending even more time in the community. We have several events coming up, including constituent outreach events in Wyncote and Wyndmoor, our Growing Greener Together Town Hall, a community town hall at Curtis Arboretum to kick off September, and our Sixth Annual Senior Fair later in the month. Read more

 

Khan and Colleagues Announce Bipartisan Legislation to Protect Pennsylvanians from Misuse of Flock and License Plate Reader Data

(Aug 10, 2026)

HARRISBURG, Aug. 10 — State Reps. Tarik Khan, D-Phila.; Robert Leadbeter, R-Columbia; Jennifer O’Mara, D-Delaware; Napoleon Nelson, D-Montgomery; and Nate Davidson, D-Cumberland/Dauphin, today announced plans to introduce bipartisan legislation establishing statewide privacy and accountability protections for automated license plate reader systems, including Flock Safety cameras.License plate readers are becoming increasingly common across Pennsylvania. While the technology can assist law enforcement in recovering stolen vehicles and solving crimes, its expansion raises important questions about personal information, privacy, and civil liberties. Reports from around the country have documented concerns about misuse, including instances in which individuals with authorized access allegedly used the data to stalk former partners, track acquaintances, or conduct searches for personal reasons. Read more

 

Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus calls for comprehensive police accountability, reforms following conclusion of Quakertown investigation

(Aug 06, 2026)

HARRISBURG, Aug. 6 – The Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus, chaired by state Rep. Napoleon Nelson, acknowledged the completion of Bucks County District Attorney Joe Khan's independent investigation into the February 2026 incident involving Quakertown Police Chief Scott McElree and student protesters. The PLBC will be joining the NAACP of Bucks County for a news conference at 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 7 outside of the Bucks County Justice Center in Doylestown. “We thank District Attorney Khan and his office for conducting an independent review and for providing transparency regarding the legal standards that guided the prosecutorial decision,” said Nelson, D-Montgomery. “While criminal charges were not filed, the investigation itself underscores why Pennsylvania must continue strengthening police accountability through legislative action. “For some reason, police in Quakertown are still able to place the borough’s own residents in choke holds for everyday policing needs like traffic stops and keeping pedestrians on sidewalks. Years after Chief McElree was signatory to the adoption of best practices from the Bucks County Police Chiefs that would prohibit this exact behavior, that unified approach to policing has been ignored in Quakertown and, thus, has permitted the sort of violation of personal rights that every other Bucks County law enforcement professional has outlawed. “For Read more

 

Pop Up SEPTA Card Registration

(Aug 03, 2026)

Join my staff to easily sign up for a SEPTA senior card and learn about other senior resources! Read more

 

Curtis Arboretum Townhall

(Aug 03, 2026)

Join me for a community town hall to learn about state resources, ask questions, share your concerns, and discuss issues affecting Cheltenham Township. Staff will also be available to assist with state-related programs, services, and constituent matters. Please RSVP here . Read more

 

Speaking Up Makes a Difference

(Jul 31, 2026)

This has been a busy Friday. I'm wrapping up the summer with an outstanding intern, celebrating the well-earned retirement of our police chief, digging out from a wonderful (and well-deserved) vacation with my wife, and getting my daughter ready to head back to college in a few days. So, I'll keep this brief. But there is one thing that has been weighing on my heart this week. Read more

 

My Landmark Sentencing Legislation Passed - and Welcome LeBron!

(Jul 24, 2026)

For far too long, our criminal legal system has strayed from its fundamental purpose of promoting justice and public safety, evolving into one that too often relies on excessive punishment and disproportionately impacts poor and indigent people as well as our black and brown communities. Read more

 

Legislative Black Caucus applauds passage of bill to reform sentencing for second-degree murder

(Jul 23, 2026)

HARRISBURG, July 23 – The Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus, chaired by state Rep. Napoleon Nelson, D-Montgomery, has issued the following statement following the House's passage of H.B. 1042 and adoption of language into the legislation that provides for the replacement of life without parole for second degree murder: "Today's vote is about more than passing legislation, it is about fulfilling our constitutional duty and reaffirming our commitment to a justice system that is fair, accountable, and rooted in the belief that rehabilitation strengthens public safety. The bill, with today’s vote, also includes language originally found in H.B. 150 , legislation introduced by Rep. Rick Krajewski, D-Phila., that would allow petitions to the sentencing court for the release of extremely ill individuals from prison. “The Pennsylvania Supreme Court made clear in Commonwealth v. Lee that mandatory life-without-parole sentences for second-degree murder are unconstitutional. As legislators, we have a responsibility to provide a constitutional remedy that protects the integrity of our justice system while honoring the rights of victims, the safety of our communities, and the rule of law. “Now, we will see thousands of individuals, whether they are dying in prison or previously sentenced to death unconstitutionally, finally find a path home. With the passionate work of Rep. Krajewski, this bill is Read more

 

Growing Greener Together Townhall

(Jul 20, 2026)

Join my staff and I for Growing Greener Together, a community conversation about local environmental priorities. Residents are invited to share their thoughts on sustainability, stormwater management, recycling, renewable energy, litter prevention, and other environmental issues that impact our communities. Your feedback will help shape future conversations and identify opportunities for local action. You can RSVP here . Read more

 

Building a Better Community: Budget Wins, New Playground, Senior Fair & More!

(Jul 17, 2026)

After weeks of hard work and negotiations throughout June and July, Pennsylvania has a new state budget. While no budget is ever perfect, this one represents real progress and reminds us that when we work together, we can make a difference for families across our Commonwealth. Read more

 

Chairs of PA Equality Caucus and Black Caucus call for Rep. Bernstine’s immediate resignation
5 hours ago

$400K state grant will help address clothing insecurity for children in poverty in Greater Philadelphia region
1 day ago

Heading Back to Harrisburg - with Sights on AI
Sep 25, 2026

Serving Those Who Served: Veterans Resource Fair
Sep 24, 2026

Fall into Our Upcoming Events!
Sep 18, 2026

Remembering our History and Charting our Future
Sep 11, 2026

Senior Fair, Holiday Closings and Good Byes...
Sep 03, 2026

It's Time for School - Here's How You Can Prepare!
Aug 28, 2026

Smooth Driving is Almost Here!
Aug 21, 2026

Nelson to introduce legislation to preserve equitable banking opportunities
Aug 20, 2026

Town Halls Aplenty - With One Near You!
Aug 14, 2026

Khan and Colleagues Announce Bipartisan Legislation to Protect Pennsylvanians from Misuse of Flock and License Plate Reader Data
Aug 10, 2026

Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus calls for comprehensive police accountability, reforms following conclusion of Quakertown investigation
Aug 06, 2026

Pop Up SEPTA Card Registration
Aug 03, 2026

Curtis Arboretum Townhall
Aug 03, 2026

Speaking Up Makes a Difference
Jul 31, 2026

My Landmark Sentencing Legislation Passed - and Welcome LeBron!
Jul 24, 2026

Legislative Black Caucus applauds passage of bill to reform sentencing for second-degree murder
Jul 23, 2026

Growing Greener Together Townhall
Jul 20, 2026

Building a Better Community: Budget Wins, New Playground, Senior Fair & More!
Jul 17, 2026