March 20 Email: Rallying support for paid family and medical leave

Rep. Jennifer M. O'Mara March 21, 2026

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Dear Neighbor,

I was proud to host a press conference this week with attendees from the Family Care Coalition in support of the Family Care Act (H.B. 200). The event was part of a statewide call to action, with a simultaneous event occurring in western Pennsylvania, for paid family and medical leave.

H.B. 200 is bipartisan legislation that proposes a statewide family and medical leave insurance program to support working families and strengthen small businesses. While federal law provides up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for family and medical reasons, paid leave remains elusive for many people in most states. Nearly four million Pennsylvanians, or 66 percent of our workforce, lack access to paid family and medical leave.

More than a dozen states have already enacted paid family leave. Employers in those states have benefited as well, with small businesses reporting higher employee retention rates and improved productivity. That’s why I’m fighting to make this critical legislation a reality for the working families and small businesses in Delco and across our state.

Read news coverage here, and watch my remarks here.

Food Drive for Impacted Federal Workers

Due to the ongoing partial government shutdown, my office is once again teaming up with PHL Airport to collect food for their food bank. Between Monday and Friday, 9 am to 5 pm, you can drop off dry goods at my office to benefit federal workers who are currently going without pay. The most needed items include: nuts/seeds, spices, syrup, coffee/tea bags, rice, pasta, pasta sauce, condiments, canned goods (vegetables, beans, soup, fruit, stock) cereal, oatmeal, pancake and muffin mix, peanut butter, nut butters, cooking oils, granola bars, meal kits (Hamburger Helper, etc.), canned meats, bread, crackers, tortillas, baby food, baby formula, and juice boxes.

Upcoming Capitol rally for equal pay

I will be co-hosting a Rally for Equal Pay in the Main Rotunda of the state Capitol at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, March 24. We will be advocating for HB630, which passed out of the House in June and is awaiting consideration in the Senate Labor & Industry Committee. This legislation will prohibit employers from paying workers less because of their gender, race, or ethnicity and protect employees from retaliation in any wage discrimination matters.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, in 2023, women in Pennsylvania were paid an average of 80.9% of what men were paid. Our state’s pay gap trails not only the U.S. average but also five of our six neighboring states. To attract and retain our workforce and ensure women can support their families, we need to make sure that all Pennsylvania workers receive equal pay for equal work.

Our news conference advocating for first responders

I was honored to participate in a press conference this week about aiding first responders with Lt. Gov. Austin Davis and officials from PEMA and the Office of the State Fire Commissioner. Our focus was on new coverage for Post-Traumatic Stress Injury (PTSI) in first responders and a push to expand workers’ compensation coverage to first responders acting on behalf of the state during a declared disaster emergency.

In the House, I led the effort to enact Act 121 of 2024, which provides Workers’ Compensation coverage for emergency responders who sustain post-traumatic stress injuries on the job. Now it’s important that we build on that work and ensure that the first responders who protect us have the coverage they need when responding to disasters.

Community Easter Events

With Easter around the corner, there are a variety of community events happening! Springfield Township is hosting its Easter Egg Hunt this Sunday, March 22, at 12 p.m. at Church Road Park.

Morton Rutledge is hosting its annual Breakfast with the Easter Bunny on Saturday, March 28, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Media Borough is hosting its Spring Egg Hunt on Sunday, March 29, at 1 p.m. on the Community Center Lawn.

The Marple American Legion is having an Easter Egg Roll on Saturday, April 4, at 12 p.m. at 1 N. Malin Road.

Springfield’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade

I had a fantastic time marching once again in Springfield’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Thank you to everyone who helped make this day so magical for our community!

Grants available for implementing recycling programs

The PA Department of Environmental Protection is accepting applications from municipalities for developing and implementing recycling programs. Grants are available for up to $250,000, and the deadline to apply is May 22. For more information, visit the DEP website.

Celebrating a recent grant for Springfield Township

Last week Senator Tim Kearney and I stopped by the Springfield Township Commissioners meeting to celebrate the $704,000 Springfield was recently awarded to update the Windsor Circle intersection. Through DCED's Multimodal Transportation Fund, this grant will be used to improve the intersection for drivers and pedestrians, creating safer streets for our community. I’m thrilled we were able to secure funding for this project.

Drop off children’s books at my office

My office is participating in a local children’s book drive to help put books in the hands of Delco children. We are a drop-off site for the Delco Book Bank’s Easter Basket and Summer Reading Book Drives. Feel welcome to drop off new or gently used children’s books at my office!

Protect yourself from scammers

State officials have been warning of various scams targeting Pennsylvanians, and I want you to protect yourself from scammers. Please stay vigilant and do not let scammers take your hard-earned money. Keep in mind these tips when using your phones and email accounts so you don’t get caught unexpectedly.

Free help during Medicare Advantage open enrollment

The state Department of Aging is reminding older adults that the annual Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period is underway. Running through March 31, this period allows beneficiaries to switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan or return to Original Medicare.

The Pennsylvania Medicare Education and Decision Insight, or PA MEDI, program offers free, unbiased counseling to help seniors make informed health insurance decisions. This initiative ensures that older adults can optimize their cost savings and access to health care.

Find local program phone numbers and a statewide helpline by clicking here.