WEEKLY E-BLAST (Aug. 6): Chester County and the Delta variant of COVID-19

(Aug 06, 2021)

With the return to travel, indoor dining, and relative normalcy this summer, it may have seemed for a short time as though COVID-19 was in our rearview mirrors. Read more

 

WEEKLY E-BLAST (July 30): Going back to school safely

(Jul 30, 2021)

With the beginning of the new school year just about one month away, both the Pennsylvania Department of Education and Pennsylvania Department of Health are advising K-12 schools in Pennsylvania to follow the latest CDC guidance around masks in schools. Read more

 

WEEKLY E-BLAST (July 23): What you need to know about legislative redistricting and gerrymandering

(Jul 23, 2021)

Although the state House and Senate are in recess, work continues in Harrisburg and around the state. One of the most important processes moving forward right now is the redistricting of our federal and state districts. Read more

 

WEEKLY E-BLAST (July 15): Around the District: Visiting Brandywine Valley SPCA

(Jul 15, 2021)

During the summer months while the House is not in session, I spend most of my time in the district meeting with constituents and local organizations, as well as traveling the state attending various Policy Committee hearings. Read more

 

WEEKLY E-BLAST (July 9): Planning a vacation? Travel prepared!

(Jul 09, 2021)

As COVID-19 restrictions are lifted and many of us begin planning trips and vacations for the first time in a long time, there is no better time than the present to make sure all your travel documents are up to date – whether you are traveling in-state or cross-country by car, flying domestically, or traveling internationally with a passport. Read more

 

Otten: Public Comment on Proposed Mariner Reroute at HDD290, Marsh Creek State Park

(Jul 01, 2021)

In April 2021, Sunoco submitted major amendment applications for its environmental permits, requesting to change the route and installation method of their Mariner East 2 Pipeline at location HDD290, near Marsh Creek State Park. DEP invited the public to participate in this process through a public comment period. I have serious concerns about several aspects of Sunoco’s proposed reroute of the pipeline, and I submitted the attached public comment urging the DEP to deny these applications. Read more

 

WEEKLY E-BLAST (July 1): Legislature passes a timely budget, bus misses the mark

(Jul 01, 2021)

Last Friday, the General Assembly approved a $40 billion budget and sent it to Governor Wolf for his signature. Read more

 

Rep. Otten's budget statement

(Jul 01, 2021)

Rep. Otten outlines missed opportunities in this year's budget. Read more

 

WEEKLY E-BLAST (June 25): Happening now in Harrisburg: Budget Negotiations

(Jun 25, 2021)

This week, I am in Harrisburg for the busiest week on the legislative calendar – Budget Week. Read more

 

WEEKLY E-BLAST (June 17): My priorities going into budget debates

(Jun 17, 2021)

Earlier this week, Senator Amanda Cappelletti and I co-hosted an interactive presentation, We the People – PA about what A People’s Budget would mean for Pennsylvania. Read more

 

Rep. Otten's budget priorities

(Jun 17, 2021)

Rep. Danielle Friel Otten outlines her priorities for the 2021 state budget. Read more

 

WEEKLY E-BLAST (June 11): It’s time to prioritize education and maternal health in Pennsylvania

(Jun 11, 2021)

The House was back in session this week, and it has been a busy one in Harrisburg. On Tuesday, House and Senate Democrats and advocates from across the state joined Governor Wolf to call for investing half of this year’s $3 billion in above-expected state revenue in our schools. Read more

 

WEEKLY E-BLAST (June 4): Get outside this weekend!

(Jun 04, 2021)

After some much-needed rain this week, the next several days are shaping up to be hot and sunny. Read more

 

Friel Otten public comment on HDD360

(May 25, 2021)

Rep. Danielle Friel Otten submitted the following public comment on Sunoco LP/Energy Transfer’s HDD-360 (Biddle Crossing/Devon Drive/Shoen Road) 20-inch line re-evaluation. Read more

 

Youth Mental Health and the Pandemic Sessions

(May 25, 2021)

Here you can find all four sessions of our Youth Mental Health and the Pandemic discussions. Youth Mental Health and the Pandemic: Pre K - 2nd Grade Youth Mental Health and the Pandemic, Session 2: 3rd - 7th grades Youth Mental Health and the Pandemic, Session 3: High School Age Youth Mental Health and the Pandemic, Session 4: College Age Thank you to our panelists from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, the Chester County Intermediate Unit, Communities That Care of Greater Downingtown, the West Chester Area School District, Unionville-Chadds Ford School District, West Chester University, Thomas Jefferson University, PA Office of Advocacy and Reform, and The Center for Change at Kennett Square, for providing the following COVID-19 Resources for families: Chester County Community Resources Family activities and discussion prompts Tips for nurturing and supporting children at home Building Resilience Helping children cope with changes resulting from COVID-19 WCASD Counseling Resources Library Chester County Community Resources Sesame Street COVID-19 Resources for Young Children and Children with Autism PA Department of Education COVID-19 Resources for Families Pediatric Sleep Council pandemic-related sleep advice for parents of young children Family resources from Info About Kids and Child Trends Fun daytime activities from the National Child Traumatic Stress Network Bedtime relaxation techniques for Read more

 

WEEKLY E-BLAST (May 21): Pennsylvanians vote in favor of three state constitutional amendments

(May 21, 2021)

On Tuesday, Pennsylvania held its Municipal Primary Election. Thank you to everyone who took the time to vote in-person or by mail, and to all those who worked or volunteered at the polls. Read more

 

Now open for applications: Services for mental health and substance use disorder, boating infrastructure

(May 21, 2021)

Below are some funding programs that recently opened for applications, including a federal grant opportunity for community-based organizations to hire and mobilize community outreach workers, community health workers, social support specialists, and others to increase vaccine access for the hardest-hit and highest-risk communities. STATE PROGRAMS NOW OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS: Pennsylvania Department of Human Services: Solicitation RFA 16-21 Mental Health & Substance Use Disorder Intervention Funding Source: General Fund) Who May Apply : Nonprofit organizations that provide prevention, intervention, and treatment services to Pennsylvania residents, and their families, with mental health, substance use, and/or behavioral health needs. Use : Prevention, intervention, and treatment services to support individuals with lived experience, as well as their families. Funds : Awards up to $500,000 for Fiscal Year 2021-22. Solicitation Due Date : June 3 More Information : http://www.emarketplace.state.pa.us/Solicitations.aspx?SID=RFA%2016-21 . Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission: Boating Infrastructure Grant Program (Funding Source: Federal Funding) Who May Apply : Public and private operators of open-to-the-public boating facilities, including municipal agencies (cities, towns, counties, etc.), state agencies (State Parks, DNR, Fish & Wildlife, etc.), and other Read more

 

Youth Mental Health and the Pandemic: College Age

(May 19, 2021)

This virtual panel discussion, Youth Mental Health and the Pandemic: College Age, is the fourth in a series of discussions Rep. Otten and Rep. Sappey have hosted. Read more

 

WEEKLY E-BLAST (May 14): PA Rescue Plan: Ensuring federal relief dollars help working families

(May 14, 2021)

Earlier this week, I joined the House Democratic Policy Committee for a hearing on our caucus’s proposal to invest federal American Rescue Plan dollars to help Pennsylvania recover, restore, and reimagine after the pandemic, starting with getting Pennsylvanians back to work through investments in clean energy jobs. Read more

 

Otten reintroduces Pipeline Early Detection and Warning proposal cited in PUC decision

(May 13, 2021)

EXTON, May 13 – State Rep. Danielle Friel-Otten, D-Chester, has reintroduced legislation that would place the costs of early detection and warning systems on pipeline operators rather than taxpayers and ensure that these systems are in place prior to pipeline operation. Pennsylvania law requires school districts, municipalities, and local emergency management agencies to implement disaster response and emergency preparedness plans consistent with guidelines developed by the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency. However, a recent ruling by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission found that pipeline operators have too often failed to provide any reliable means of monitoring pipelines for leaks or alerting communities of pipeline incidents, leaving local officials unable to fulfill their state-mandated emergency preparedness requirements. House Bill 1364 , which Otten introduced as H.B. 1735 during the 2019-20 legislative session, seeks to address that failure by establishing a pipeline early detection and warning board. This board would collect fees from pipeline operators and distribute those funds to municipalities, school districts, or county governments for the development of early detection and warning systems to alert communities and emergency responders in the event of a pipeline incident. “For too long, Pennsylvania taxpayers and our local communities have borne all the risks and all the costs of pipeline Read more

 

WEEKLY E-BLAST (Aug. 6): Chester County and the Delta variant of COVID-19
Aug 06, 2021

WEEKLY E-BLAST (July 30): Going back to school safely
Jul 30, 2021

WEEKLY E-BLAST (July 23): What you need to know about legislative redistricting and gerrymandering
Jul 23, 2021

WEEKLY E-BLAST (July 15): Around the District: Visiting Brandywine Valley SPCA
Jul 15, 2021

WEEKLY E-BLAST (July 9): Planning a vacation? Travel prepared!
Jul 09, 2021

Otten: Public Comment on Proposed Mariner Reroute at HDD290, Marsh Creek State Park
Jul 01, 2021

WEEKLY E-BLAST (July 1): Legislature passes a timely budget, bus misses the mark
Jul 01, 2021

Rep. Otten's budget statement
Jul 01, 2021

WEEKLY E-BLAST (June 25): Happening now in Harrisburg: Budget Negotiations
Jun 25, 2021

WEEKLY E-BLAST (June 17): My priorities going into budget debates
Jun 17, 2021

Rep. Otten's budget priorities
Jun 17, 2021

WEEKLY E-BLAST (June 11): It’s time to prioritize education and maternal health in Pennsylvania
Jun 11, 2021

WEEKLY E-BLAST (June 4): Get outside this weekend!
Jun 04, 2021

Friel Otten public comment on HDD360
May 25, 2021

Youth Mental Health and the Pandemic Sessions
May 25, 2021

WEEKLY E-BLAST (May 21): Pennsylvanians vote in favor of three state constitutional amendments
May 21, 2021

Now open for applications: Services for mental health and substance use disorder, boating infrastructure
May 21, 2021

Youth Mental Health and the Pandemic: College Age
May 19, 2021

WEEKLY E-BLAST (May 14): PA Rescue Plan: Ensuring federal relief dollars help working families
May 14, 2021

Otten reintroduces Pipeline Early Detection and Warning proposal cited in PUC decision
May 13, 2021