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Read The DFO Dispatch on Substack here.

Opposing a water utility monopoly; Supporting our public libraries

(May 08, 2026)

This week took me back to Harrisburg for another round of legislative session, while my district office team stayed busy assisting community members with state services and programs. Read more

 

Public Comment Opposing Water Utility Merger

(May 07, 2026)

The proposed merger between Essential Utilities (AQUA) and American Water would create the largest private water utility in the United States, giving the combined entity a monopoly in our region. Read more

 

Read The DFO Dispatch on Substack here.

(May 05, 2026)

Mom. Community Leader. Champion for Working Families and a Clean Energy Future. Proud to serve the people of Chester County in PA District 155. Read more

 

Pennsylvania’s Water Law: The Deepest Well Wins

(May 01, 2026)

Pennsylvania's groundwater laws were established long before industrial wells, high capacity pumps, or large commercial users existed. Read more

 

House committee looks at AI in education; Last chances to weigh in on water utility merger

(Apr 24, 2026)

This week, I traveled to Pittsburgh for two House Education Committee hearings focused on the growing role of artificial intelligence in our schools. Read more

 

Your voice wins: PECO withdraws $510M rate hike; PA must do more to protect ratepayers

(Apr 17, 2026)

On Thursday, PECO announced that it has withdrawn its rate case request. Thank you to all the constituents who joined me and my colleagues in calling on state regulators to reject the increase. Read more. Read more

 

Who owns our water in PA?

(Apr 10, 2026)

Pennsylvania is one of the most water-rich states in the country, with an estimated 80 trillion gallons stored in underground aquifers and trillions more in our lakes, reservoirs, and 83,000 miles of streams and rivers. Read more

 

Democratic SE Delegation urges PUC to reject PECO rate hikes

(Apr 08, 2026)

HARRISBURG, April 8 — Members of the Pennsylvania House Democratic Southeast Delegation today wrote to the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission to express their strong opposition to proposed gas and electric rate hikes by PECO, according to state Rep. Jennifer O’Mara, D-Delaware, the delegation chair. Read more

 

Make your voice heard on PECO's proposed rate increases

(Apr 06, 2026)

No one should have to choose between paying their utility bills and putting food on the table. Please join me in calling on state regulators to reject this proposal and stand up for Pennsylvania consumers. Read more

 

Water privatization and higher rates: What you need to know in PA

(Apr 02, 2026)

Last week, we talked about the PUC’s upcoming public hearings on the proposed $63 billion merger between Essential Utilities and American Water. If approved, this merger would create the largest private water utility in the United States. Read more

 

PUC schedules public hearings on proposed Aqua PA and American Water merger

(Mar 27, 2026)

Pennsylvanians are already feeling the impacts of data center development on their rising electric bills, and those same data center proposals are poised to have an equally concerning impact on public water bills. Read more

 

Honoring Cpl. O'Connor; the price Pennsylvania paid for “cheap” gas; and more

(Mar 20, 2026)

This week, I had the solemn honor of attending the funeral for Pennsylvania State Police Corporal Timothy O’Connor. As elected officials, we are often invited to join families and communities during moments of celebration, including award ceremonies, recognition dinners, and milestones that mark some of the brightest chapters in people’s lives. Being invited to stand with the O’Connor family, their friends, and loved ones during one of the most difficult moments of their lives was a very different kind of honor, and one I carried with deep respect.  Read more

 

Honoring Cpl. Timothy O’Connor

(Mar 13, 2026)

Our community is heartbroken by the tragic loss of Pennsylvania State Police Corporal Timothy O’Connor, who was shot and killed during a traffic stop in West Caln Township. Corporal O’Connor dedicated his career to protecting the people of Pennsylvania, and his service and sacrifice will never be forgotten. Read more

 

Pa. families shouldn’t pay for power that never gets used

(Mar 06, 2026)

As we continue the conversation on rising electricity prices this week, here’s a take I think most of us can agree on: Pennsylvania households shouldn’t bear the extra costs created by data center development or pay higher rates driven by excess demand that never gets used. Read more

 

What should responsible data center policy look like in Pennsylvania?

(Feb 27, 2026)

While the proliferation of data centers across the commonwealth and the nation has only recently captured widespread media attention, I have spent more than a year working with legislators from multiple states in the PJM region to identify concerns and propose solutions that address the strain on our energy grid, the effect on our utility bills, and the potential environmental and economic impacts of rapid data center development. Read more

 

It's time to examine Pennsylvania's next budget; Chester County Spelling Bee standouts

(Feb 20, 2026)

With the Governor’s Budget Address now behind us and the House scheduled to return to session in late March, this period is one of the most important stretches of the legislative year. While the governor’s proposal sets the stage, it is only the first step in a months’ long process that relies heavily on public input, careful review, and collaboration across the Commonwealth. Read more

 

PJM extends price cap on electricity costs; New grants awarded to Downingtown Borough

(Feb 13, 2026)

For more than a year, I have worked with legislators from multiple states in the PJM region to express concerns and propose solutions for addressing the strain on our energy grid and the increased costs created by data center development. Read more

 

Otten, Comitta announce state funding for better traffic flow in Downingtown Borough

(Feb 10, 2026)

HARRISBURG, Feb. 10 – State Rep. Danielle Friel Otten and state Sen. Carolyn Comitta today announced that the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation awarded more than $160,000 in state grants to improve traffic flow and pedestrian safety at intersections and street crossings in Downingtown Borough. The grants are part of a $27 million investment funded by PennDOT’s Automated Red-Light Enforcement Program to support 51 safety projects across 44 municipalities statewide . The approved projects in Downingtown include: $65,469 for lane configuration and detection upgrades at the intersection of Wallace Avenue and Pennsylvania Avenue, and detection upgrades at two adjacent intersections within the borough. $94,812 to enhance the existing mid-block pedestrian crossing along Pennsylvania Avenue at Kerr Park. "These investments will help to improve traffic flow, walkability and pedestrian safety in a busy part of town near some of Downingtown’s most popular parks and local businesses," said Otten, D-Chester. “I applaud the borough’s ongoing commitment to building a safe, convenient and welcoming community for residents and visitors." Pennsylvania’s ARLE program, which benefits municipalities throughout the state, is funded by fines from red light violations at 38 intersections in Philadelphia where red-light running has been determined to be an issue. Projects are selected Read more

 

Pa. state budget builds on education, workforce and doesn't raise taxes

(Feb 06, 2026)

On Tuesday, Governor Shapiro delivered the fourth and final Budget Address of his first term. I heard a lot that I was encouraged by, and many of the proposals align with the priorities I hear from families, educators, and local leaders here in central Chester County – all without raising taxes. Read more

 

A focus on energy reliability as our region picks up from storm; Update on ICE

(Jan 30, 2026)

Last weekend’s snowstorm brought real disruption to our region. Schools closed, businesses adjusted their hours, and many community events were postponed or canceled. The effects lingered into the early part of the week, reminding us how quickly winter weather can upend daily routines. Read more

 

Opposing a water utility monopoly; Supporting our public libraries
May 08, 2026

Public Comment Opposing Water Utility Merger
May 07, 2026

Read The DFO Dispatch on Substack here.
May 05, 2026

Pennsylvania’s Water Law: The Deepest Well Wins
May 01, 2026

House committee looks at AI in education; Last chances to weigh in on water utility merger
Apr 24, 2026

Your voice wins: PECO withdraws $510M rate hike; PA must do more to protect ratepayers
Apr 17, 2026

Who owns our water in PA?
Apr 10, 2026

Democratic SE Delegation urges PUC to reject PECO rate hikes
Apr 08, 2026

Make your voice heard on PECO's proposed rate increases
Apr 06, 2026

Water privatization and higher rates: What you need to know in PA
Apr 02, 2026

PUC schedules public hearings on proposed Aqua PA and American Water merger
Mar 27, 2026

Honoring Cpl. O'Connor; the price Pennsylvania paid for “cheap” gas; and more
Mar 20, 2026

Honoring Cpl. Timothy O’Connor
Mar 13, 2026

Pa. families shouldn’t pay for power that never gets used
Mar 06, 2026

What should responsible data center policy look like in Pennsylvania?
Feb 27, 2026

It's time to examine Pennsylvania's next budget; Chester County Spelling Bee standouts
Feb 20, 2026

PJM extends price cap on electricity costs; New grants awarded to Downingtown Borough
Feb 13, 2026

Otten, Comitta announce state funding for better traffic flow in Downingtown Borough
Feb 10, 2026

Pa. state budget builds on education, workforce and doesn't raise taxes
Feb 06, 2026

A focus on energy reliability as our region picks up from storm; Update on ICE
Jan 30, 2026