It feels like things have gotten a lot quieter around the region, as the last of the major sports events planned for the region took place last week. It was so amazing to see our cities on full display for the world as we hosted MLB’s All-Star Game and the Home Run Derby (my favorite). What a tremendous summer between the PGA, the FIFA World Cup, and Major League Baseball all bringing visitors from across the country and around the world to our region.
How fun for the 168th to have played a prominent role in putting our commonwealth’s best face forward for all to see!
Reality kicked in two weekends ago when we were called back to Harrisburg to discuss and vote on the 2027 state budget. Only a few days past the deadline, this budget brought more than I expected! There are details below.
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I am thrilled with the funding for educational programs, the Student Teacher Stipend Program, and the COLA for our retired teachers (we have a bunch in the 168th who have been waiting for over 20 years!), police, and firefighters.
I am also very happy with the over $300 million investment in improvements for roads and bridges and the funding for our state parks (looking at you, Ridley Creek). There was also a significant investment in behavioral health through the 988 system, for our walk-in crisis centers and our rape crisis centers who have not received meaningful funding for years.
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Since healthcare is my passion, I am thrilled with the funding we received for Riddle and Mercy Fitzgerald Hospitals. There was also an investment in the state’s Medicaid system and more funds directed to programs for our seniors.
All in all, not so bad. We will continue to work to bring state dollars back to the 168th since we all contribute to the General Fund.
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I hope everyone is enjoying their summer...it goes by way too fast! I hope to see you soon at an event or in the community over the next few weeks. Stay safe and go Phillies!
In service,
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Harrisburg Update
- Grants awarded to local projects benefiting students, seniors, & families
- Consumer Protection Committee meeting on Legionnaire's Disease
In the District
- Public comment period extended for Rt 352/Rt 1 Project
- Our first Student Voices meeting of the summer
- Supporting NSFC & Phillies Legends
Events
- Blood Drive (7/29) (I'll be donating at 2:45 p.m.!)
- Paper Shredding & Electronics Recycling (8/8)
FYI
- State Police recruiting trooper applicants
- PA's new online tool helps you manage & protect your finances
- Reminder: Veterans Temporary Assistance Program
Community Events & Announcements
- Newtown Square Farmers Market (tomorrow, 7/24)
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We have a state budget: How it helps the 168th
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Stronger Schools and Education Programs
- $10 million in new investments for Career & Technical Education
- New investments in early intervention programs for children ages 3-5 to get our kids prepared to start strong in kindergarten
- Helping kids learn how to navigate an ever-changing, sometimes dangerous online world by addressing social media literacy and taking on cyber-bullying by enacting policies to ensure AI isn’t used to bully kids or generate illegal material and that schools take in-person bullying seriously, and get parents involved sooner.
- Promoting health by making sure every student in grades K-5 gets recess and allowing school districts to use existing funding for later start times.
- $121 million investment in targeted school safety and mental health grants to prevent tragedies before they happen.
- Supporting students doesn’t stop at high school graduation; this budget increases funding for our state and state-related higher education institutions.
- Increases in funding for the massively popular Student Teacher Stipend program to make sure the next generation of educators can afford to get trained.
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Investment in Public Infrastructure
- Over $21 million in new money for state parks operations, including our very own Ridley Creek State Park.
- $300 million in additional funds for highway and safety improvements to fix the commonwealth’s aging roads and bridges.
- Additional funding for environment protection operations.
Investment in Public Safety and Public Servants
- Additional funding for mental health services including $10 million for 988 crisis line and crisis walk-in centers.
- Additional funding for community violence and intervention programs.
- Doubling funding for rape crisis centers.
- A long sought after cost-of-living adjustment for pre-Act 9 retired teachers, as well as police and firefighters.
Bolstering Health Care here in Delco
- $4,000,000 in funding for Riddle Hospital
- $2,000,000 for Fair Acres
- $2,000,000 for Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital
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Grants awarded to local projects benefiting students, seniors, & families
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I am thrilled to announce $1.7M in state funding awarded to three capital improvement projects in the 168th! Some of these projects, like Fenimore Woods, have been on the docket for many years and I'm excited to bring home state funds to help make these historic preservation and accessibility projects possible.
Funded through the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program, RACP is a Commonwealth grant program administered by the Office of the Budget for the design, acquisition, and construction of regional economic, cultural, civic, recreational, and historical improvement projects.
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As a countywide grant, Main Line Health (the parent company of Riddle Hospital) received a $4,000,000 RACP grant to expand its emergency care services in light of Crozer's shuttering. You can read the statement the Delco Delegation issued about this grant by clicking here, and learn even more via this article in the Daily Times.
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Consumer Protection Committee meeting on Legionnaire's Disease
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On Monday, I joined my colleague Representative Smith-Wade-El and the Consumer Protection Committee for a hearing in at Philadelphia City Hall in the beautiful City County Chamber to discuss his H.B. 2085, Legionnaires Disease Risk Management.
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We heard from experts representing the water suppliers, building management, environmental experts, and public health experts. Legionnaires disease is contracted by inhaling water contaminated with the disease - most often through HVAC and water systems. Legionella bacteria can develop and multiply in water within days, and symptoms of Legionnaires' disease typically appear 2 to 10 days after exposure.
Rep. Smith-Wade-El's legislation most notably puts requirements for water treatment to help prevent the formation of the disease. Still a lot of discussions to be had regarding this bill, but I am grateful to have attended the meeting to learn more and better understand the concerns.
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Public comment period extended for PA352/US1 Project
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As I previously reported here, PennDOT is now accepting public comment on the DRAFT Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) Report for the PA352/US1 Roadway Improvements Project, and the deadline has been extended to Friday, July 31.
The Draft PEL Report can be found online at the project website at pa352us1delco.com or you can review hard copies of the document in my office or at the Middletown Township Building.
Middletown Township Administration Building
27 Pennell Road
Media, PA 19063
Monday through Friday, 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
Please call (610) 565-2700 in advance.
State Representative Lisa Borowski 168th District Office
24 S Newtown Street Road, Suite 100
Newtown Square, PA 19073
Monday through Thursday, 9:00 am – 4:30 pm; Friday, 9:00 am to 1:30 pm
Please call (484) 427-2884 in advance.
The study is being conducted by PennDOT in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). The results of the PEL Study are meant to identify a transportation alternative to advance into the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process and preliminary engineering. This is a critical time for residents to weigh in on the project before it reaches the next stages of development.
Comments may be submitted via the online comment form at pa352us1delco.com or by filling out a paper comment form at one of the locations listed above. Comments may also be submitted in writing to:
PennDOT District 6-0
7000 Geerdes Boulevard
King of Prussia, PA 19406
Attn: Madeleine Fausto, Project Manager
Comments received during the public review period along with PennDOT’s responses to those comments will be included as part of the final PEL Study for the project.
According to PennDOT, "The Route 352 (Middletown Road) and U.S. 1 Roadway Improvements Project will be designed to improve safety and reduce congestion at the Cloverleaf Interchange between U.S. 1 and Route 352 at the terminus of the Media Bypass Interchange with Baltimore Pike. The project also includes improvements to the adjoining roadway network comprised of Baltimore Pike, Route 352, and Route 452."
Check out the Draft PEL Report in person or online and make your voice heard!
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Public art is taking center stage in Radnor Township! Recently I joined township staff, elected and community leaders to celebrate the installation of a new mural celebrating all that is special about Radnor, the most historic and recognizable sites from across the township, and how the history of our country runs through our community.
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Installed on the wall of Tara Buzan-Hardy and Alex Hardy’s At the Table restaurant on Lancaster Avenue in Wayne, the mural was created by muralist Dan Scott with input from artists at the Wayne Art Center and features Wayne’s famous mile marker, the Wayne SEPTA Train Station, the Wayne Hotel, Wayne Movie Theater, Wayne Presbyterian Church, The Willows Mansion, and Ardrossan.
It really brings life to a formally blank space! I was thrilled to join the unveiling with 3rd Ward Commissioner Cathy Agnew and Jannie Lau, who partially funded the mural with a generous public arts grant from the Lau Longsworth Charitable Fund.
What a way to celebrate America’s 250th!
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I had a bit of a homecoming during the Delco Delegation’s recent meeting with leadership from Trinity Health Mid-Atlantic. I started my career at the Mercy Health System in 1991 working in my dream job of public relations, marketing, and community relations for the hospitals, including Mercy Fitzgerald. I loved every minute of my almost 16 years with the Sisters of Mercy serving these communities.
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This meeting was focused on discussing the state of healthcare in Delco and how the impacts of federal changes will continue to challenge a very fragile system. We continue to focus on improving access to good quality care for all our communities which is no easy task in today’s environment. My colleagues and I are working hard to support our hospitals and were excited to share the news of the $2 million secured in this state budget to support care delivery at Mercy.
Thank you to all the nurses, physicians, technicians, therapists, food service, security, and environmental staff as well as administrators who show up every day to care for the health needs of our communities.
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Our first Student Voices meetings of the summer
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We welcomed local students into the district office to kick off our summer Student Voices of PA program! Ethan led the group discussion about the effect AI and Data Centers have on our communities and the legislation being proposed to regulate them.
It was wonderful to get young people’s perspectives on one of the most pressing issues the commonwealth is facing!
Next topic: education equity!
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Lunch with the Ambulance Association of PA
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This group represents EMS companies across the commonwealth and today I had the opportunity to hear concerns from professionals from Erie to Narberth and everywhere in between. We had a great conversation about the direct billing legislation (H.B. 1152) Rep. Jill Cooper and I have introduced. I also heard about the positive impact of the loaded miles legislation I worked on last session which was adopted into the fiscal code.
Our EMS providers are there when they need us, it is time for us to be there for them!
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Supporting NSFC & Phillies Legends
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This past weekend, I took the world’s biggest Phillies Phan, my mom, to the Newtown Square Fire Company’s Phillies Legends fundraiser.
It was so cool to meet John Kruk, Larry Bowa, Mickey Morandini (of the unassisted triple play), Kevin Stocker, the Bull Greg Luzinski and former Action News sports director Scott Palmer.
A great turnout and over $50k raised to support Newtown’s phantastic phirst responders! What a great night for a great cause!
Thank you, Phillies!
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For the third year in a row, Marie and I had the opportunity to speak with the doctoral candidates of the rigorous Nurse Anesthesia Doctor of Nursing Practice program from Villanova University's M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing. What a privilege to meet with these hardworking professionals.
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It was an honor to once again spend time with these tremendous healthcare professionals!
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I shared insights about current and proposed legislation designed to support our healthcare professionals. We discussed the role of lobbyists and professional associations in the legislative process, how the addition of medical professionals to the legislature is shifting focus to addressing challenges faced by all healthcare providers, and how they can advocate for legislation important to them.
I have introduced bipartisan legislation with my colleague Rep. Alec Ryncavage to expand the scope of practice for certified registered nurse anesthetists. This will be especially impactful as we seek to attract and retain providers in rural communities.
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IMPORTANT: Please register for the Electronics Recycling portion of the event
by clicking here or on the image below!
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State Police recruiting trooper applicants
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If you're looking for a career in law enforcement, the Pennsylvania State Police is accepting applications for the current cadet hiring cycle through July 31.
Applicants must have a high school diploma or GED, a valid driver's license, and be at least 20 years old at the time of application. Cadet training lasts approximately 28 weeks, and graduates are promoted to the rank of state trooper upon completing the academy.
To learn more about eligibility requirements, benefits, and the application process, visit PATrooper.com.
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PA's new online tool helps you manage & protect your finances
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The PA Department of Banking and Securities (DoBS) has launched My Money, a new online resource designed to help you learn about, manage, and protect your finances. The website brings together trusted financial education materials, fraud prevention resources, and consumer assistance information in a single, easy-to-navigate location.
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The My Money website contains dozens of easy-to-understand financial resources to help you navigate major life events and financial decisions, including higher education and training, employment, family finances, homeownership, military and veterans’ services, business ownership, unexpected life events, aging, retirement, and more.
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Reminder: Veterans Temporary Assistance Program
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The Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) offers financial assistance to veterans who are facing an unexpected financial hardship. The Veterans Temporary Assistance (VTA) program provides eligible Pennsylvania veterans and their surviving dependents with financial relief for necessities of life such as food, shelter, fuel and clothing.
Eligible veterans or their survivors can qualify for an amount not to exceed $1,600 in a 12-month period. To be eligible, a veteran must have served a period of active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States and received a discharge under conditions other than dishonorable. A veteran who suffered a service-connected disability, regardless the length or status of their service is also eligible, as well as the surviving dependents of an eligible veteran and the surviving dependents of a service member who died in line of duty or was killed in action.
To apply, eligible veterans should contact the County Veterans Affairs Directors in the county in which they reside.
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Community Events & Announcements
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The next Newtown Square Farmers Market -- TOMORROW, July 24th -- will have a great group of vendors, live music, and the special guests at the Community Table will be the Newtown Public Library! Check their Facebook page for the list of produce from Urban Roots.
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Pennsylvania State Capitol
28-B East Wing
Harrisburg, PA 17120
(717) 772-2005
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District Office
24 S. Newtown Street Rd., Suite 100
Newtown Square, PA 19073
(484) 427-2884
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