October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I was proud to kick off this observance with the PA Breast Cancer Coalition and Sen. Kim Ward on Oct. 5, and earlier this week I attended a news conference to announce a statewide campaign encouraging women to schedule an appointment today for their annual mammogram. Read more
READING, Oct. 22 — State Reps. Jennifer O’Mara, Manny Guzman and Mark Rozzi denounced Berks County commissioners’ colossal error disenfranchising Spanish speaking voters by providing the wrong return-by date on mail-in ballots with following statements: “The people deserve answers. I am demanding an immediate full investigation into how this massive error could have happened – you don’t slip a finger and type ’18’ when you mean to type ‘2.’ And, if this is more than an accident, we need to demand resignations. For my part I am working with state Democratic leadership to convene a Policy Committee hearing in Reading to get the facts we all need to restore public trust. The actions of right-wing extremists in Harrisburg and Washington D.C. show us how fragile our democracy truly is – we cannot afford to shatter democracy in Berks County,” Guzman said. “Voting is one of our most sacred rights in America, and if people are being told wrong information regarding elections – that’s voter suppression. This cannot be remedied by simply mailing a letter, the county commissioners need to be more open and proactive about correcting their mistake to ensure that every voice is heard on Election Day. The county commissioners’ failure to share accurate information is nothing but a veiled attempt at voter suppression, and Rep. Guzman and I will continue shedding light on this issue Read more
Last week in the Capitol, I was honored to present a legislative citation recognizing September as Suicide Prevention Month and September 10, 2021, World Suicide Prevention Day. Read more
I returned to Harrisburg on Monday, Sept. 20, for the House’s first session week since passing the state’s yearly budget in June. Read more
HARRISBURG, Sept. 24 – Reps. Jennifer O’Mara, D-Delaware, and Todd Stephens, R-Montgomery, marked Suicide Prevention Month by announcing they will reintroduce legislation to create Extreme Risk Protective Orders (ERPO) as a way to reduce suicides in Pennsylvania. “We know laws like this work,” O’Mara said. “We have the data from other states to prove it. Where enacted, suicide rates have declined, giving individuals the critical time needed to find resources for the help they need. It is well documented that placing time between an individual in crisis and a means to harm themselves or others results in those individuals finding better outcomes then ending their lives, or the lives of others.” “More than 60% of firearm-related deaths in Pennsylvania and across the nation are suicides,” Stephens said. “We must create a way for family members or law enforcement to temporarily prohibit individuals in crisis from possessing firearms or ammunition, and to relinquish any firearms or ammunition they may currently have, to prevent them from doing irreparable harm to themselves or others.” The lawmakers cited the latest statistics from Pennsylvania on gun deaths, detailing the need for the bill: More than 60% of gun deaths in 2019 were from gun suicide. The top 20 counties for firearm-related deaths by suicide, per capita, in the most recent decade are Wayne, Elk, Carbon, Clarion, Schuylkill, Clearfield, Read more
As the nation prepares to remember and honor the 20th anniversary of September 11, and in light of recent studies linking firefighters to increased rates of cancer, heart-related diseases and suicide, state Reps. Dan Miller, D-Allegheny, and Jennifer O’Mara, D-Delaware, are introducing a bill that would set up a new state grant program to cover the costs of annual medical examinations for all firefighters in the commonwealth. Read more
Twenty years ago, our country was forever changed when thousands of Americans lost their lives from a senseless act of terror. Read more
SPRINGFIELD, Aug. 30 – State Rep. Jennifer O’Mara, D-Delaware, submitted a public comment regarding Aqua Pennsylvania’s attempt to increase their water and sewer rates, explaining the increase would create serious financial hardships for many who are already struggling. “Many Pennsylvanians are still recovering from COVID-19’s economic impact last year and catching up on utility bills. Furthermore, countless Delaware County residents must now pay higher property taxes because of the reassessment,” O’Mara said. “A rate hike would just push those struggling financially back even farther and create unnecessary hardships for working families and seniors living on fixed incomes.” Aqua provides water and wastewater services to more than 490,000 Pennsylvanians, mostly in Philadelphia’s collar counties. Their proposed rate increase would raise nearly half a million people’s water bills by 17% and sewer bills by 33%. “Aqua raised their rates just two years ago, so it’s difficult to justify another drastic increase so soon after a year of financial hardship for many,” O’Mara said. “I strongly urge PUC to reject Aqua’s request for a rate hike and put the people of Pennsylvania first.” O’Mara encourages Aqua customers to voice their concerns by sending a letter to the PUC at P.O. Box 3265, Harrisburg, PA 17105. Additional information is Read more
Earlier this week, Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine received FDA approval. Read more
SPRINGFIELD, Aug. 20 – State Rep. Jennifer O’Mara, D-Delaware, presented Morton-Rutledge Fire Co. with a $15,000 check, which will go toward the purchase of a HURST eDraulic Jaws of Life tool. The Jaws of Life are a rescue tool commonly used to assist in car accidents, especially when someone is trapped inside a vehicle. The grant awarded will also cover the cost a back-up battery, extending the tool’s life. “When emergency responders get to the scene of a car crash, time is of the essence and just a few seconds can be the difference between life and death,” O’Mara said. “The Jaws of Life help first responders act as quickly and safely as possible to rescue those in danger. Having this tool available will help Morton-Rutledge Fire Company members better respond to these life-threatening situations.” O’Mara added that Morton-Rutledge did not have this tool prior to being awarded the grant. Photos of O’Mara presenting the check and of the Jaws of Life can be found on her website: https://www.pahouse.com/OMara/PhotoGallery?g=4918 . For more information, residents may call O’Mara’ s office at (610) 544-9878. Read more
Delaware County is now considered a "community of substantial transmission" for the coronavirus as the Delta variant rampantly spreads throughout the nation. Read more
My office has heard from many people who have been victims of identity theft via Pennsylvania’s unemployment compensation program. Read more
Rep. O'Mara's summer newsletter including information on this year's budget, legislative progress, upcoming events and more. Read more
HARRISBURG, July 22 – State Rep. Jennifer O’Mara, D-Delaware, and members of the PA House Democratic Caucus’ Southeast Delegation authored a letter to Gov. Tom Wolf in April detailing the need to increase nursing homes’ minimum direct care hours. On Wednesday, July 21, the governor and secretary of health included this measure in their proposed revisions to the state’s nursing home regulations. The legislators’ letter dated April 15, 2021, advocates for the Pennsylvania Department of Health to increase minimum direct care hours in long-term care facilities from 2.7 to 4.1. O’Mara added that skilled nursing facility regulations have not been updated in more than 20 years. “Residents of long-term care facilities are burdened by this antiquated minimum established by the commonwealth. By increasing the amount of care they receive each day, we can simultaneously address the high turnover rate and consistent understaffing of Pennsylvania’s nursing homes and work toward creating manageable workloads that deliver high-quality care to residents,” O’Mara said. Secretary of Health Alison Beam noted that this is the first in a series of five packages of proposed nursing home regulations. The Pennsylvania Department of Health plans to submit the final-form regulations once all five packages of updates move through the state’s regulatory review process. “The COVID-19 pandemic showed us how Read more
Over the last week, my office received lots of calls and questions about the county-wide reassessment process as tax bills began hitting mailboxes. Read more
What was the county reassessment process and why did it happen? The county was ordered by the courts to conduct a county wide reassessment of all commercial and residential properties. The last time this was done in Delaware County was 1999. In 2017, the process began when Delaware County Council selected the assessment company to complete the process (Tyler Technologies). It’s important to note that Tyler is one of few companies able to handle the reassessment of a county of our size. What was the purpose of the county wide reassessment? The reassessment was supposed to more equitably distribute the tax burden based on July 1, 2019 property values. It did that across the County. It doesn't mean that every property is appropriately assessed. It means that when tested against market sales data, on a county wide basis, the reassessment met the contractual requirements that were put in place to satisfy state constitutional requirements. What can I do about my taxes if I think the reassessment is off? Some houses and even some neighborhoods could be off. The best way to address that is by appealing your assessment. The deadline for this year's bills has passed, but you can appeal for next year by submitting a short form by Aug. 1. There are no fees for 2022 appeals. You can find the information for how to appeal the assessment by calling the county chief reassessor’s office at 610-891-5127 by visiting Read more
SPRINGFIELD, July 7 – State Rep. Jennifer O’Mara, D-Delaware, applauded seven local emergency service companies for securing a collective $84,467 through Pennsylvania’s Fire Company and Emergency Medical Service Grant Program. Funding has been distributed as follows: Broomall Fire Company: $15,000 Marple Township Ambulance Corps: $8,993 Morton Rutledge Fire Co.: $12,589 Radnor Fire Co. of Wayne: $15,000 Radnor Fire Co. of Wayne (EMS): $8,993 Springfield Fire Co.: $14,906 Villanova Emergency Medical Services: $8,984 “Fire and EMS companies were hit particularly hard last year by shutdowns caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. These organizations lost opportunities to host fundraisers that they heavily rely on every year, so I’m proud to help bring this money home for our first responders,” O’Mara said. Examples of projects that funds may be used toward include training and certification of members, construction/renovation to company buildings, debt reduction, recruitment efforts and fire prevention educational materials for the public. “My father was a firefighter for 25 years with the Philadelphia Fire Department, so ensuring that Pennsylvania’s emergency responders are taken care of and able to effectively do their jobs is one of my biggest priorities,” Read more
Late Friday evening, the General Assembly approved a $40 billion budget and sent it to the governor for his signature into law. Read more
The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry recently rolled out its updated unemployment compensation system. Read more
SPRINGFIELD, June 9 – State Rep. Jennifer O’Mara, accompanied by Delaware County’s 10 other state representatives, will present an official House citation to Delaware County recognizing the annual celebration of Delco Day. The citation will be presented at this year’s host for Delco Day festivities, Marty Magee’s Irish Pub, 1110 Lincoln Ave., Prospect Park. Live music and activities will take place from 2 p.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday, June 12 into Sunday, June 13. A play on the county’s area code, Delco Day is traditionally recognized on June 10. Every year, Delco residents commemorate their community’s strong and resilient spirit by fundraising for a local charity with the help of Delco Live. This year, money raised from Delco Day festivities will benefit the HEADstrong Foundation, which provides housing to cancer patients and their families. “June 10, or 6/10, is an annual celebration of all things Delco. Whether you live in Springfield or Drexel Hill, Media or Prospect Park, it’s a day to applaud and recognize everything that unites us and truly makes us a community,” O’Mara said. “All of Delco’s state reps, both Democratic and Republican, came together to commemorate this special day with a citation from the state House of Representatives as a symbol of the sense of unity behind the observation.” O’Mara has introduced resolutions this session and in the two Read more
Please use the form below to sign up for email updates. By completing this form you are acknowledging your request to receive periodic email updates.
By completing this form, you are verifying your request to opt in for email updates.
Thank you. Your email signup has been sent. You should start getting emails within 24 hours.
Please use the form below to email Rep. Jennifer M. O'Mara.
Thank you. Your feedback has been sent.
26 E. 4th StreetMedia, PA 19063-3042
P*: (610) 544-9878
F*: (484) 200-8270
Hours of Operation - Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on weekends by appointment only.
905 West Sproul RoadSuite 203Springfield, PA 19064-1254
217 Irvis OfficeP.O. Box 202165Harrisburg, PA 17120-2165
P*: (717) 783-4090
F*: (717) 772-2284