Dear Neighbor & Estimado Vecino,
I hope you are well. I want to share important information about my ongoing work. As always, please feel free to reach out to my office for help with any state-related issues. To stay informed, ?visit my official page. You can also check your?preferences?to make sure you're signed up for?my emails.?
Espero que estén bien. Me gustaría compartir información importante sobre mi trabajo en curso. Y no olvides?visitar mi página oficial?para mantenerte informado.?También puede verificar sus?preferencias?para asegurarse de que está registrado para recibir mis correos electrónicos.
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It was an honor to join my colleagues from both sides of the aisle to don our Red, White and Blue in honor of our nation's 250th anniversary!
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This July 4th marks 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence — a milestone that hits close to home here in Pennsylvania, where it was signed. It’s a moment to celebrate with your family and neighbors, whether at a parade, fireworks, or a cookout on your porch.
It’s also a moment to reflect on the idea at the heart of the document: that the government answers to the people, not the other way around. Two hundred and fifty years later, that work is still ours to carry forward.
I am honored to have the opportunity to represent our community and ensure that the voice of each of our neighbors is heard in Harrisburg. Happy Independence Day to all of our neighbors across Berks County, Pennsylvania, and our nation!
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In observance of this momentous occasion, my office will be closed Friday, July 3. We will reopen for regular hours on Monday, July 6.
Looking for ways to get out and celebrate this weekend? You can find a list of local events marking Independence Day here.
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Finally, for this Fourth of July weekend, please note that the 222 Corridor Summer of Soccer BCLCC 3-on-3 Tournament, which I am proud to support and which had been scheduled for this weekend, will now be moved to FRIDAY, JULY 10, due to extreme heat.
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The Senate Must Act and Pass a Budget
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In April, I joined my colleagues to pass a bipartisan budget that would improve funding to our schools, keep vital programs running to support all of us, and so much more.
However, since then, all we have seen from the state Senate is inaction – and the start of an early Fourth of July vacation for them, as they left Harrisburg early this week while the House continued to act for working Pennsylvanians.
The Senate Republicans must stop playing politics with our neighbors’ well-being, and come back to Harrisburg to get a budget finalized!
You can reach out and call for action from Senate Republican leadership and Berks County's Republican senators, with the list below:
- President Pro Tempore Kim Ward: (724) 600-7002
- Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman: (724) 357-0151
- Senate Appropriations Chair Scott Martin: (717) 397-1309
- Senator Chris Gebhard: (717) 274-6735
- Senator Tracy Pennycuick: (215) 541-2388
The House will likely return to Harrisburg in the coming days to finish the budget. I will provide updates as the budget moves forward.
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Delivering for You in Harrisburg
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This week, my House colleagues and I passed important bills that will help our neighbors and improve communities:
We continued our efforts to hold Big Tech accountable and protect our communities by banning state and local government agencies from entering into non-disclosure agreements for data center development (HB 2359).
We’re supporting our first responders by increasing opportunities for minors in emergency service organizations (HB 2014).
We’re protecting consumers and ensuring fair pricing by prohibiting rideshare companies from setting prices based on your device’s condition. (HB 2512).
You can always learn more about the bills we work on and watch our deliberations, either on the House floor or in committee, live on the PA House website.
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Recognizing Pride Month in Harrisburg
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Tuesday marked the last day of Pride Month for 2026, and it was an honor to join my colleagues to recognize the history and contributions of Pennsylvania's LGBTQ+ community on the PA House floor!
Whether it be during Pride Month or any other time, I am proud to always stand side by side with the LGBTQ+ community.
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Time to Raise the Wage and Lower Costs
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This week marked 20 years since the minimum wage was last increased in Pennsylvania, and that is far too long to be waiting. Our current minimum wage of $7.25 is simply not a living wage, and it is time to act.
The House has passed legislation to increase our minimum wage to $15 an hour, and it is time for the state Senate to act and support working-class Pennsylvanians.
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I also joined several of my colleagues to support HB 2223, which will help to lower costs by boosting grid efficiency by adopting Advanced Transmission Technologies, which will help to lower electric bills for neighbors in our community and across Pennsylvania.
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Property Tax/Rent Rebate Deadline Extended!
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Applications for Property Tax/Rent Rebates are available, and the deadline to apply has now been extended to Dec. 31! This program gives money back to PA renters and homeowners for the taxes they paid in 2025 -- including seniors, widows and widowers, and those with disabilities.
You can learn more here and contact my office for support with your application.
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You May Have Unclaimed Property - We Can Help!
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Many Pennsylvanians have unclaimed property -- money from dormant bank accounts, insurance payments, and uncashed checks -- and you may be one of them!
My office can help you receive this unclaimed property. Contact us or go to PATreasury.gov/unclaimed-property to see if there is anything available in your name.
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Local America 250 Celebrations
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Wyomissing will kick off its Independence Day Celebration with a magical Moonlight Swim at the Wyomissing Pool and Fireworks Show sponsored by ROG Orthodontics on Thursday, July 3, setting the stage for a spectacular celebration of freedom and community, a perfect prelude to the grand Independence Day Parade and festivities on July 4.
Then, on July 4, the borough of Wyomissing will host its annual Independence Day Parade and Celebration at 10 AM. The parade winds its way through the heart of Wyomissing, showcasing vibrant floats, spirited marching bands, and local organizations coming together to honor America's birthday.
The festivities culminate at the iconic Stone House, where the timeless melodies of the Wyomissing Band fill the air with pride and jubilation. The celebration continues with a lineup of activities such as classic contests like the annual pie-eating competition and the Rubber Ducky Regatta supporting the Wyomissing Public Library.
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The Berks County Commissioners will also be hosting the Reading Symphony Orchestra Star Spangled Spectacular on Saturday, July 4, at the Berks County Fairgrounds. This free community event will feature live music, family activities, food trucks, ceremonial tributes, a patriotic orchestral performance, a reading of the Declaration of Independence, and a fireworks finale.
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My Back to School Kick-Off
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We may be in the midst of summer, but it is never too early to prepare for next school year! That's why I will be hosting a Back to School Kick-Off on Sunday, Aug.16 at my district office (1111 Penn Ave., Wyomissing).
This free event will have free backpacks and school supplies, as well as free haircuts to ensure that our local students have what they need and feel their best for the new school year!
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Reading Wants to Hear from You
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City property owners, businesses, and developers seeking to have land added to or removed from Reading’s City Revitalization and Improvement Zone, or CRIZ, have until July 31 to submit applications for consideration during the 2026 map change cycle.
More information and application material can be found here.
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New Farming Grants Now Available
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Horizon Farm Credit just launched a new $20,000 grant for Young, Beginning, and Small Farmers and will award 10 grants. You can learn more here.
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The Reading Roots Market will be open every Thursday from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. at Goggleworks until October 8. In addition, every third Thursday, there will be a night market from 5 - 8 p.m.
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You Are Not Alone: Crisis Intervention Resources
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Holcomb Crisis Intervention in West Reading offers a free crisis program to support our neighbors experiencing varying levels of crisis, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, in both English and Spanish.
You can learn more about their work here, and if you or someone you know needs help, you can walk in, call 610-379-2007, or text 484-816-7865 for support.
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If you or someone you know needs food assistance, please reach out to my office to find out where you can find help. You can also click here to go to Helping Harvest's website, which has a map of over 350 charitable food program partners in our area.
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Helping Harvest will also be collecting non-perishable food items throughout the year at their programs and events. You can learn more about those and how to ensure our neighbors are fed here.
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Mobile Mammogram Screenings Available
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Routine mammograms are important to find the first signs of breast cancer. Tower Health has started its Mobile Mammography stops for 2026, with stops across our community. You can find locations and days here.
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As always, my team and I are here to help you navigate state programs and services. Please reach out with any questions, concerns, or ideas. If you can't make it to my district office, you can visit one of my satellite offices! Find my office information below:
Centro Hispano Casa Senior Center
25 N. 2nd St., Reading, PA, 19601
Every Thursday from 9 a.m. to Noon
Spring Township Municipal Building
2850 Windmill Road, Sinking Spring, PA, 19608
2nd and 4th Fridays of each month from 9 a.m. to Noon
We also host DAV Services (Disabled American Veterans) in my office.
1111 Penn Ave., Wyomissing, PA 19610
Every other Monday from 9 a.m. to Noon
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Pennsylvania State Capitol
104-A East Wing Main Capitol
Harrisburg, PA 17120
(717) 772-1858
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District Office
1111 Penn Ave.
Wyomissing, PA 19610
(484) 577-2756
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