State Reps. Danielle Friel Otten, Christina Sappey, Tim Hennessey and Dan Williams, all of Chester County, are happy to present a citation to the Downingtown Marching Band for their invitation to the Rose Parade. Read more
Last week, the House held its final days of session for 2021. Read more
Last week, I shared my concerns regarding the pending sale of Brandywine and Jennersville hospitals to Canyon Atlantic Partners. Read more
In October, following the announcement that Jennersville Hospital would close, and with the fate of Brandywine Hospital and other Tower Health properties uncertain, I co-hosted a policy hearing on protecting access to quality health care in our communities. Read more
In last week’s newsletter, which is available to view on my website, I talked about my frustration with how the legislature too often spends its time in Harrisburg on ceremonial or partisan pursuits, instead of working to improve our constituents’ lives by addressing actual problems that need to be solved here and across the state. Read more
EAST PIKELAND TOWNSHIP, Nov. 19 — State Rep. Danielle Friel Otten, D-Chester, today announced that two communities within her legislative district each received grants from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development that will improve walkability and ADA access to area walkways. One grant for $395,028 was awarded to East Pikeland Township. Funding comes from the Multimodal Transportation Fund and will go toward pedestrian safety improvements along state routes 23 and 724. This includes constructing sidewalks and bus shelters, providing safe access to bus stops and adding ADA accessibility features. “State routes 23 and 724 are major transportation hubs that are used by more than 20,000 vehicles per day. This project will help to promote use of public transportation along these corridors and ensure that the roadways are as safe and accessible as possible for all who use them,” Otten said. The second award was a $113,642 Greenways, Trails and Recreation grant for Spring City. This grant will help construct an ADA accessible parklet and trail connecter between downtown Spring City and the corner of Main Street and Yost Avenue, linking the Schuylkill River Trail and the borough’s business district. Trailhead signage will also be installed. “Creating an accessible link between downtown Spring City, municipal parking and the Schuylkill River Trail is an exciting next step in the community’s Read more
My time as your representative in Harrisburg has been eye-opening in many ways. Read more
With Election Day behind us, I would like to thank everyone who made time to vote, either in-person or by mail-in ballot. Read more
Rep. Friel Otten's fall newsletter containing environmental and legislative updates, youth mental health information, a recap of a House Policy Committee hearing and more. Read more
Pennsylvania is home to more than 350 craft breweries—an increase from just 88 in 2011—making us the nation’s top producer of craft beer. Read more
Last week, I submitted public comment to the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission in opposition to the proposed water and wastewater rate increases requested by Aqua America and its operating entities. Read more
In this public comment I submitted opposing Aqua America's proposed rate increase, I expressed specific concerns about the impact of privatization of public water systems on consumer rates; the impact of climate change on infrastructure costs; and the billing structures for large industrial customers with high-volume demand. Read more
An important project to bring 50 affordable senior housing units to the Borough of Phoenixville is on track to receive nearly $1.2 million in tax credits through the Pennsylvania Housing and Finance Agency. Read more
On Tuesday, Rep. Dan Williams and I hosted the PA House Democratic Policy Committee for a panel on Saving Community Hospitals: Keeping Care Close. Read more
EAST BRANDYWINE, Oct. 12 – With Tower Health’s announcement last month that it will sell Chestnut Hill Hospital in Philadelphia and close Jennersville Hospital in West Grove, Pa., and with the fate of Tower’s Brandywine, Phoenixville, Pottstown, and Reading hospitals still very much up in the air, local healthcare workers, first responders, administrators, and advocates gathered today to address concerns about the potential impacts on quality and access to healthcare, including emergent and mental health care. The discussion was hosted at the East Brandywine Township Building by state Reps. Daniel Friel Otten and Dan Williams, both D-Chester, whose respective legislative districts flank Brandywine Hospital. “Hospital closures and consolidations impact every one of us,” Otten said. “Any one of us could be the family member in an ambulance with our child or loved one, praying to make it to the closest hospital in time. As Chester County’s older-adult population grows, our senior-living and long-term care facilities rely on nearby hospitals for emergency calls and patient care. Our law enforcement officers and county human services agencies rely on the availability of psychiatric beds, mental health services, and behavioral health programs to meet community need. The loss of ERs and reduction in critical care services put additional strain on our EMS departments and local municipalities. The ripple effects of Read more
On Tuesday, PA Attorney General Josh Shapiro came to Marsh Creek State Park to announce 48 criminal charges against Energy Transfer, the developer of the Mariner East II pipeline. Read more
Letter addressed to Gov. Wolf, Sec. McDonnell and Chairwoman Brown Dutrieuille urging them to halt the Mariner East pipeline project. Read more
EXTON, Oct. 5 -- State Rep. Danielle Friel Otten, D-Chester, chair of the Pennsylvania House Legislative Climate Caucus and member of the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, issued the following statement regarding today’s announcement that Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro has filed criminal charges against Sunoco Pipeline/Energy Transfer for environmental crimes related to the Mariner East pipeline project: “This morning, PA Attorney General Josh Shapiro came to Marsh Creek State Park to announce 48 criminal charges against Energy Transfer, the developer of the Mariner East II pipeline. The charges, most of which are for releasing industrial waste at 22 sites in 11 counties across the commonwealth, include 22 counts of prohibition of discharge of industrial waste under the Clean Streams Law; 22 counts of prohibition against other pollutions under the Clean Streams Law; two misdemeanor counts of unlawful conduct under the Clean Streams Law; and one felony count of unlawful conduct under the Clean Streams Law for willfully failing to report incidents to the Department of Environmental Protection. “Attorney General Shapiro is sending a clear message to Energy Transfer and other pipeline operators: You cannot operate in Pennsylvania and play by your own set of rules. If you break Pennsylvania law, you will be tried in a criminal courtroom in Pennsylvania. “Today’s announcement would not have been possible without Read more
We were back in Harrisburg for another session week this week. Read more
The House returned to session this week for the first time since June. Read more
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