As fall gets underway, it has been so much fun going to community events and seeing many people who I haven’t seen recently. It is always heartening to see the district-wide dedication to our schools and communities to make them thrive.

Fall also marks the time when we go back to session in Harrisburg to take up unfinished business, and there is much to do. Energy issues were left on the table when we finished the budget, and I hope we tackle them to make energy more affordable and accessible for everyone in the commonwealth, particularly as we head into the winter season.

Hopefully, we will also be able to address issues regarding artificial intelligence, as we have all become more aware of the guardrails needed with AI to protect our children and families. The issues of illegal slot machines or “skill games,” and second-degree murder sentencing mandated by the courts, also need to be addressed. When we left Harrisburg in July, we did not come to agreements on what to do about these issues, and I hope they will get resolved as we negotiate the fall agenda.

I look forward to keeping updated on these issues in the upcoming weeks. Have a great weekend, and happy Fall!

Sincerely,

My first free Community Shredding and E-Recycling event of the Fall season will be tomorrow, September 26th from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. at 511 S. Front St. This is a great opportunity to safely dispose of personal and sensitive documents, and staff will be on hand to provide information on other city and state government services.

The November 3rd general election is approaching fast, and it’s time to start making your plan to cast your ballot.

The final day to register to vote is Monday, October 19th, and you can visit the PA Online Voter Registration link to fill out your application. Your registration is not complete until processed and accepted by the county’s voter registration office, so keep watch for further correspondence.

For mail-in and absentee voters, the final day to request a ballot is on Tuesday, October 27th, and you can visit the application page at this link. Remember, voting by mail is a safe and secure way to make your voice heard in November.

I was happy to participate in the ribbon-cutting ceremony opening the Philadelphia Ballet’s world-class Center for Dance.

This new 58,000 square-foot building brings together professional dance, student training, and community engagement. The Center for Dance provides the ballet company with modern practice studios, support services, and a chance to operate its own public theater for the first time in its history.

I had a great time with Reps. Burgos and Hohenstein last weekend at the Friends of Hackett annual Block Party fundraiser. I’m always pleased to sponsor this event and donate to their mission to fund classroom resources, the library, and enrichment programs for the school.

This past week, Gov. Shapiro and the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services announced a $7 million investment to modernize the state’s SNAP program by transitioning SNAP cards to chip-enabled EBT cards. The commonwealth will be joining several states that have already started using chip-enabled EBT cards, reporting lower rates of theft via skimming. New chip-enabled cards will strengthen security for SNAP and keep our neighbors safe from predatory scams.

My free community shredding and e-recycling events continue this fall on the following dates:

• Saturday, October 17th from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., 343 Fairmount Ave.
• Saturday, October 31st from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Mummers Museum, 1100 S. 2nd St.

These are great opportunities to safely dispose of personal and sensitive documents.

My fall Senior Fair is scheduled for Friday, October 23rd from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Holy Name Church, bringing resources to seniors and caregivers like information on healthcare, volunteer opportunities, prescription drug plans, preventing identity theft and more.

The 100-700 blocks of South Street will be open on Saturday, September 26 from 12-7 p.m. for the 2026 South Street Fall Fest! Every block will have different activities, including Oktoberfest, a Renn Faire, a skate park and more. You can visit the South Street District website for more information.

The 2026 Delaware River Festival will take place this Saturday, September 26th from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Penn’s Landing, with a bevy of free activities for all ages. There will be RiverLink Ferry Rides between Camden and Philadelphia, Pedal Boat Rides at Penn’s Landing, a live bird show, environmental exhibitors and more!

Join Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts, the Public Interest Law Center and Carpenters’ Hall at Parkway Central Library on Monday, September 28th from 5:30 – 7 p.m. for “A Constitutional Celebration: How the U.S. and PA Constitution Shape Us.” Celebrate the 250th anniversary of the ratification of the 1776 Pennsylvania Constitution with various expert presenters and panelists. This event is free to the public, you can register at this link.

Wills Eye Hospital will host Give Kids Sight Day on Saturday, October 3, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Vision screenings and glasses are available for children ages 6-17; no insurance is required. You can reserve your spot by scanning the QR code above, visiting the Wills Eye website or by calling 215-928-3240.

The Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation’s YeShi Chinatown Night Market returns at Race & 10th Street on Thursday, October 8th from 6 – 10 p.m. Come out for a night filled with delicious food trucks, local eats, live performances, art and craft stations and much more.

District Office

610 North Second Street

Philadelphia, PA 19123
(215) 503-3245

Pennsylvania State Capitol
300 Main Capitol Building

P.O. Box 202175

Harrisburg, PA 17120
(717) 783-8098