Imagine a butcher being invited to sit on an advisory board for longhorn steer safety. It’s an absolute farce. Yet Rep. Daryl Metcalfe, a climate change-denier from western Pennsylvania, has been appointed to the state’s Climate Change Advisory Council by House Speaker Mike Turzai. According to House Majority Leader Bryan Cutler, Metcalfe’s chairmanship of the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee makes him “best suited to participate on the [advisory] committee.” Metcalfe is, after all, the most powerful lawmaker in Harrisburg when it comes to environmental issues. But Metcalfe also disagrees with 97 percent of the world’s scientists. Science-denying Metcalfe has accused environmentalists of all sorts of nonsense, like when he lambasted Auditor General Eugene DePasquale for “partisan pandering [to] the governor’s delusional climate change policy proposals” and for “Chicken Little fear-mongering” when the auditor general had the audacity to say that the state wasn’t financially prepared for climate change-related heavy weather. He also went on record at an environmental committee meeting to say, "I enjoy my vegetables, and plants need CO 2 ,” and so the state shouldn’t do anything to cut carbon emissions, a fun line of thinking he picked up from his science-denying buddy Gregory Wrightstone, an absolute hack author that Metcalfe has invited to testify before Read more
MALVERN, Nov. 19 – State Rep. Kristine Howard, D-Chester, announced today that East Whiteland and Charlestown townships have received $ 540,537 in state funds for a new township park. “This grant is outstanding news for East Whiteland and Charlestown townships, as the new park will help contribute to our sense of community,” Howard said. “The state’s investment will reap benefits for generations to come.” The project focuses on the acquisition of approximately 154 acres stretching across both townships for use as a public park. The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Bureau of Recreation and Conservation assists local governments, and recreation and conservation organizations with funding for projects related to conservation, parks and recreation, including conservation of open space, river conservation and access, and the planning, acquisition and development of public parks. More information can be found here . Read more
MALVERN, Nov. 14 – State Rep. Kristine Howard announced today that East Whiteland Township has received $200,000 in state funds to develop Bacton Hill Park. “I’m so glad that that these state funds have been released to East Whiteland Township to develop Bacton Hill Park into a space that will give people of all ages pleasure and enjoyment,” said Howard, D-Chester. “I’m proud that the state is assisting in improving the quality of life in our communities through investments like these.” Bacton Hill Park, formerly known as the Swanenburg property, has been owned by East Whiteland Township for 20 years. During this time, few improvements were made to the space. Howard said these funds will enable the substantial rehabilitation of the space. The project focuses on the development of Bacton Hill Park in East Whiteland Township. The work will include construction of a pavilion, a pedestrian walkway, a parking area, as well as stormwater management measures. The project also includes the installation of play equipment with required safety surfacing; ADA access, landscaping, project signage and other related site improvements. DCNR’s Bureau of Recreation and Conservation assists local governments, recreation and conservation organizations with funding for projects related to conservation, parks and recreation, including conservation of open space, river conservation Read more
HARRISBURG, Oct. 22 – State Rep. Kristine Howard, D-Chester, held a Capitol news conference today in support of her H.B. 1344 , which would allow prosecutors to charge crimes against people with intellectual or physical disabilities as hate crimes. “Attacks committed against individuals with disabilities represent some of the most repugnant imaginable,” said Howard, D-Chester, “and yet, they are punished with little more than a slap on the wrist.” She highlighted a critical gap in Pennsylvania’s criminal code: attacks committed against individuals with disabilities do not receive the additional consideration that is given to crimes committed against an individual based on race, color, religion or national origin. This new bill, which comes in response to several recent attacks, would revise the state criminal code to ensure that crimes against individuals with intellectual or physical disabilities are given the same consideration as those based on race, color, religion or national origin. The Arc of Pennsylvania, a nonprofit that provides services and programs for people with disabilities, advocated for the addition and worked on the legislation closely with Howard and state Sen. Thomas Killion, R-Chester/Delaware. Howard’s bill is a bipartisan companion to Killion’s S.B. 444, which also is in response to a recent slew of attacks on individuals with disabilities. Read more
MALVERN, Oct. 16 – State Rep. Kristine Howard, D-Chester, will hold an event on Oct. 26 to help local seniors obtain their SEPTA Key Senior Cards. The event will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Howard’s office in the Greentree Office Building, 40 Lloyd Ave., Suite 309, 19355. “Seniors can now ride any SEPTA line in Pennsylvania for free, as long as they have a Senior Key Card,” Howard said. “I want to make the process as easy as possible for local seniors.” Residents who are 65 or older are invited to stop by Howard’s event to apply for their Key Cards. Seniors should bring their state ID or driver’s license. After applying for their card at the event, seniors will receive their cards by mail in about four weeks. Those unable make it to the event can stop by Howard’s office during regular office hours, which are 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. For additional questions, call Howard’s office at (610) 251-1070. Read more
EXTON, Oct. 8 – State Rep. Kristine Howard, D-Chester, will host a Senior Fair from 10 a.m. to noon Thursday at the Exton Square Mall. Resources available will include flu shots, SEPTA keycards and information on the constituent services that Howard’s district office offers. The following groups and agencies will be in attendance: Acme Markets A&M Healthcare Brandywine SPCA ChesPenn Health Services Chester County Department of Aging Services Chester County Historical Society Crime Victims Center of Chester County KenCrest PA Office of Consumer Advocate Paoli-Berwyn-Malvern Lions Paoli Hospital PECO PennDOT Senior Law Center in West Chester Staff from Howard’s office will be available to answer questions about state issues and programs. Residents with questions about the Senior Expo may call Howard’s office at 610-251-1070 or email RepHoward@pahouse.net . Read more
HARRISBURG, Oct. 4 – State Rep. Kristine Howard, D-Chester, announced today that East Whiteland Township received $195,760 in state funds from Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s “Green Light-Go” program, which aims at increasing safety and mobility across Pennsylvania’s communities. The grant money will be used to update automated traffic signal performance measures with upgraded detection at five intersections along PA 29 Morehall Road. “The safety of our pedestrians and drivers is of utmost importance,” Howard said. “These funds will help increase safety along a busy road in East Whiteland Township.” Green Light-Go grants are provided as reimbursement to municipalities for updates to improve the efficiency and operation of existing traffic signals. Grant funding through the Green Light-Go program may be utilized for a range of operational improvements including, but not limited to: light-emitting diode (LED) technology installation, traffic signal retiming, developing special event plans and monitoring traffic signals, as well as upgrading traffic signals to the latest technologies. Read more
HARRISBURG, Oct. 3 – State Rep. Kristine Howard, D-Chester, announced today that she introduced legislation ( HB1908 ) to increase the number of electric vehicle charging stations around the commonwealth. The legislation would require new non-residential buildings to be constructed with the necessary infrastructure to support EV charging stations, ensuring the ability to charge EVs in the places consumers frequent, such as retail facilities, hotels, schools and restaurants. “The Pennsylvania Constitution guarantees us the right to clean air and clean water,” Howard said. “But we can’t have clean air and water while we depend on fossil fuels. To that end, we must encourage consumers to embrace clean, emission-free EVs, and that begins with supplying the infrastructure needed to support the technology.” Read more
HARRISBURG, Sept. 17 – State Rep. Kristine Howard, D-Chester, today announced that East Whiteland Township has been awarded a $250,000 state grant to help create a 0.7-mile bicycle and pedestrian trail to connect office, residential, educational and recreational sites to the Chester Valley Trail. “This grant will enable people who live and work in East Whiteland Township to take full advantage of the recreational benefits of the Chester Valley Trail,” Howard said. “The trail will foster community by bringing East Whiteland Township’s different areas together.” The $250,000 grant was awarded Tuesday by the Commonwealth Financing Authority, which holds fiduciary responsibility over the funding of programs and investments in Pennsylvania's economic growth. The Commonwealth Financing Authority is unique among state agencies in that project approval requires five affirmative votes, four of which must come from the legislative appointees who compose the board, along with the secretaries of the Department of Community and Economic Development, the Office of the Budget and the Department of Banking and Securities. The Commonwealth Financing Authority provides funding for a multitude of projects that help businesses succeed, including those focused on development, water quality, energy infrastructure and more. The grant awarded to East Whiteland Township focuses on greenways, trails and recreation. The total cost of the Read more
Materials from a House Democratic Policy Committee public hearing hosted by State Rep. Kristine Howard. Read more
EXTON, Sept. 9 – State Rep. Kristine Howard, D-Chester, today hosted a House Democratic Policy Committee public hearing on Pennsylvania’s foster care system at the West Whiteland Township Building. Howard requested the hearing to discuss critical issues in foster care with leaders in the field. Howard was joined by legislators from across the state, including Policy Committee Chairman Mike Sturla, D-Lancaster. “As a former social worker, I saw first-hand the negative impact of the foster care system on many children,” said Howard. “Too many children in the foster care system suffer from emotional, behavioral, developmental and physical issues that go untreated. These issues impact their lives long after they leave the foster care system. “I want to thank all of today’s testifiers for providing critical insights into how we can come together to improve the foster care system in PA.” Sturla added: “It’s critical that we have an open dialogue about issues within the system so we can come up with workable solutions that will improve the lives of foster children.” The committee heard testimony from Debra Schilling Wolfe, executive director, and Sarah Wasch, program manager of Foster Care to College Initiative , UPenn’s Field Center for Children’s Policy, Practice & Research; Frank Cervone, executive director, Support Center for Child Advocates; Maryann Piccioni , former Read more
MALVERN, Sept. 6 – Pennsylvanians can help make the EpiPen available to all children by signing an online petition sponsored by state Rep. Kristine Howard, D-Chester. The petition supports Howard’s upcoming legislation that would require any state-regulated health insurance company to cover the cost of doctor-prescribed, medically necessary epinephrine pens for children under age 18. More than 100,000 Pennsylvania children suffer from food or insect allergies, and over 1,000 of these children have an allergy so severe that an exposure could be fatal Howard said many low-cost short-term insurance plans that low-income families rely on do not cover EpiPen injections for their children. “Our kids shouldn’t die from allergies because insurance companies won’t cover the cost of an EpiPen,” said Howard. The online site would send a message to Speaker of the House Michael Turzai; Republican Leader Bryan Cutler; Rep. Tina Pickett, chairwoman of the House Insurance Committee; Rep. Kathy Rapp, chairwoman of the House Health Committee; and the sender’s state representative requesting them to pass the legislation. Howard said, “I’m encouraging everyone to join me in the fight to make our children’s health a top priority in Harrisburg.” The online petition can be found here . Read more
WEST WHITELAND, September 3 – State Rep. Kristine Howard (D-Chester) toured several active and dormant pipeline construction sites around West Whiteland Township today. The tour highlighted drilling procedures, as well as the safety mechanisms put in place by the township, the county, various regulatory agencies and the operators themselves. The tour, conducted by Township officials, broke down three procedures for laying pipes below the ground – trench, horizontal directional drilling (HDD) and boring. The tour also covered the various levels of quality assurance in place to prevent corrosion and leaks. “We need to make the switch to alternative fuels,” Rep. Howard said, “but as we make that transition, we must ensure our current pipeline infrastructure is safe. To that end, township officials meet regularly with operators, inspecting each site, to keep our community safe. To be clear, I am and always will be on the side of my constituents, but while these pipeline operators are here, I will work with my county and township counterparts to ensure these operators are good neighbors.” Read more
This week saw yet another incident of gun violence in our community. The specifics of the incident may have been unique, but the violence is all too familiar. We must immediately begin making the incremental changes within our reach No one was killed yesterday, but the injuries and bloodshed remind us of the irreparable harm caused by gun violence – even when its victims are not mortally wounded. The wounds cause much more than physical pain and disfigurement; they bring perpetual fear and anguish. My heart is with the injured officers, their loved ones – who are also victims – and the community. Yet well-wishes and prayers are not enough. Gov. Wolf’s postponed executive order is expected to refocus departments on combatting gun violence as a public health crisis. The order will be a meaningful first step focused on violence prevention and reduction, the expansion of safety programs, and increased collaboration and data sharing among the public, government agencies and other states. But we cannot stop there. We need commonsense gun legislation, and we need it yesterday. The measures, many of which have been proposed each session this decade, have held wide public support since the tragedy in Sandy Hook, Conn. I hope that as soon as we can return to session, we install universal background checks on all gun sales in Pennsylvania and implement a “Red Flag” law to empower family members and others to petition our courts to Read more
I have thought for many days about what to say about the latest incidents of mass shootings. I have expressed my sadness in a previous social media post about a prior incident. Saying the same thing again seemed as pointless as thoughts and prayers. This is a complex topic, with different causes requiring different solutions. There are mental health issues, hatred, racism, horrific gun accidents involving children and the tragedy of suicide. There are shootings related to gang violence and domestic violence. Public records inform us that 600 women annually in America are shot to death by their partner. Having children changes the way we think about many things. Since Columbine, my children have practiced "active shooter drills." In the past, I worried but still considered the risk low. These incidents happened but rarely, and you could not worry so much that you could not live your life. That was before Sandy Hook. The year after Sandy Hook I attended a remembrance on the steps of the old courthouse in West Chester. We were all hopeful then that this would be the event that changed everything. Sad to say, it did not. When the Virginia Tech shooting happened, my oldest son was a senior in high school. I was waiting with him at a doctor's appointment when we saw the news of the shooting. We knew people who attended that college. I remember feeling a sickening wave of emotion knowing in a few short months my son would be in college. My Read more
We must resolve to end the mistreatment of immigrant children in Pa. – and everywhere | Opinion By Capital-Star Op-Ed Contributor - August 2, 2019 FOLEY SQUARE, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES - 2019/07/12: Thousands of advocates, activists and community members flooded the streets at Foley Square, across from the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) New York Field Office to join New Sanctuary Coalition and The New York Immigration Coalition at the Lights for Liberty vigil, deemed one of the largest solidarity actions in history with over 750 vigils across 5 continents. A light was lit for all those held in U.S. detention camps and to bring light to the darkness of the Trump administrations horrific policies. (Photo by Erik McGregor/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images) By Kristine Howard There is a crisis at our southern border, and it’s not “caravans” of people from Latin America. Instead, it’s the way our nation treats its neighbors seeking asylum and opportunity. The crisis extends through the whole country, too, reaching our doorsteps in Chester County. Many could be tempted to think that Chester County – one of the wealthiest counties in America – is shielded from the effects of U.S. immigration policies and the harm they are causing children and families, but I know from firsthand experience that is not the case. In fact, I’ve seen the cases. Before I Read more
There is a crisis at our southern border, and it’s not "caravans" of people from Latin America. Instead, it’s the way our nation treats its neighbors seeking asylum and opportunity. The crisis extends through the whole country, too, reaching our doorsteps in Chester County. Many could be tempted to think that Chester County – one of the wealthiest counties in America – is shielded from the effects of U.S. immigration policies and the harm they are causing children and families, but I know from firsthand experience that is not the case. In fact, I’ve seen the cases. Before I was elected to the General Assembly, I worked for Chester County’s Department of Children, Youth and Families, where I investigated child welfare. I saw many upsetting circumstances, including issues pertaining to immigration. As of 2017, 7.6 percent of Chester County’s residents are of Hispanic or Latino descent. Ten percent of our county is foreign-born. I met many families, but never asked about their immigration status. One day, I was assigned the case of a teenage boy found by police living in an apartment with many grown men, all of them immigrants working here. I had many conversations with the police officer who had contacted us due to concern about this juvenile apparently under no one’s care. No one knew if he was a runaway or an unaccompanied minor with no legal status. His real name was Read more
MALVERN, July 17 – Rep. Kristine Howard, D-Chester, congratulated the Brandywine Valley SPCA Animal Health Center and Animal Intake on receiving a $60,000 grant through the Municipal Assistance Program. The BVSPCA is a veterinary clinic that provides low-cost veterinary services to the public, in addition to facilitating pet adoptions and caring for homeless pets. “Pets are more than animals, they’re members of the family,” Howard said. “This grant helps enrich and improve the services BVSPCA provides to all the beloved pets in Chester County.” MAP funding assists local governments in planning and efficiently implementing a variety of services and improvements, as well as the managing of development, with an emphasis on intergovernmental approaches. “The BVSPCA is thrilled to receive this grant,” said Eli Martinez, senior director of development for the clinic. “The additional funding will provide for a teacher to focus on our humane education program, support our humane law officers as they uphold our state's animal laws, and allows the BVSPCA to provide free medical care/resources for disadvantaged pet owners in our community.” Martinez noted these measures will help keep pets out of shelters and with their owners. ### Read more
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Greentree Office Building40 Lloyd Ave., Suite 309Malvern, PA 19355
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