Dear Neighbor,????? 

As we approach the May 19th election, I’m reminded that the right to vote is not something we inherited by accident—it was won through sacrifice, struggle, and generations of organized resistance. From the Civil Rights Movement to the countless unnamed freedom fighters who risked their livelihoods, safety, and lives to expand democracy in this country, voting remains one of the most powerful tools we have to shape the society we want to live in. 

That history is deeply personal to me. I come from a lineage of people who understood that justice requires participation and that silence in the face of injustice is itself a choice. The freedoms many of us exercise today were secured because ordinary people made extraordinary sacrifices to challenge systems designed to exclude them. We honor that legacy not just by remembering it, but by continuing the work. 

And part of that work means recognizing that leadership sometimes requires making difficult decisions—even when a bill or policy may sound good on the surface. Too often in Harrisburg, legislation is framed in ways that appeal to emotion or fear, while the real-world impact falls hardest on the very people it claims to protect. As legislators, we have a responsibility to look beyond headlines and political talking points and ask deeper questions: Who truly benefits? Who may be harmed? And does this move us closer to justice, or further away from it? 

Democracy requires discernment, courage, and an engaged public willing to think critically and act collectively. So, as Election Day approaches, I encourage you not only to vote, but to remain informed, involved, and committed to the ongoing pursuit of a more equitable Commonwealth. 

In service, 

RepRabb

State Representative, 200th Legislative District

At Monday’s meeting of the House Judiciary Committee, I voted “no” on House Bills 910 and 2443 because I believe our responsibility as lawmakers is not simply to support legislation with good intentions, but to ensure that the policies we pass are equitable, effective, and grounded in the lived realities of the people most impacted by them. 

With regard to H.B. 910, let me be unequivocally clear: my opposition to human trafficking is absolute. No child should ever be exploited, bought, sold, or trafficked under any circumstance. Pennsylvania law already treats these acts as serious felonies, and rightly so. But this bill, as written, risks sweeping vulnerable people into the criminal legal system rather than targeting the organized networks truly responsible for exploitation. 

For example, under broad language like this, a struggling young mother leaving her child temporarily with a relative while she searches for housing or work could potentially face criminal scrutiny. Survivors of domestic violence or unhoused youth making impossible decisions under desperate conditions could also become collateral damage of overly expansive enforcement. We cannot claim to protect children while simultaneously criminalizing poverty, instability, and survival. Real public safety requires nuance, compassion, and policies that address root causes—not legislation that widens the net of punishment. 

I also voted “no” on H.B. 2443 because, while I strongly support investing in child welfare and intervention programs, this bill creates a funding structure built on instability and harm. The proposal relies heavily on fines and fees collected through the criminal legal system—despite the fact that such collections historically fall far short of projections because many people simply cannot afford to pay them. 

More troubling, tying funding for children’s services to criminal penalties creates a dangerous incentive structure where the sustainability of a program becomes linked to continued arrests, prosecutions, and system involvement. We should not build social services on the backs of struggling people trapped in cycles of poverty and incarceration. Imagine a parent already burdened by court debt, probation fees, or license suspensions being hit with additional penalties that still may never meaningfully fund the services promised in the bill. That is not sustainable policy—it is governance by illusion. 

I remain committed to the underlying goals of protecting children and supporting families, and I am prepared to introduce amendments that would strengthen this legislation and align it more closely with principles of justice, equity, and long-term effectiveness. Because our responsibility as lawmakers is not simply to pass bills—it is to ensure the policies we enact actually move us closer to a more humane and equitable Commonwealth. 

I recently circulated two co-sponsorship memos that speak to the kind of Commonwealth we should be striving to build. 

My proposed legislation to commission a study on converting immigrant detention centers into community-centered projects will be introduced soon, and it would be the first step toward better supporting our communities in need of economic and housing benefits. 

A feasibility study examining the impact of detention facilities in Pennsylvania—and exploring a community-centered framework for transforming these sites—would represent an investment in humanity rather than the continued expansion of the for-profit prison economy. We must begin, with urgency, reimagining how the Commonwealth can better support communities and individuals struggling under systems that prioritize incarceration over care, punishment over possibility, and profit over people. 

I also proposed a resolution to designate April as Arab American Heritage Month in Pennsylvania—an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the countless contributions Arab Americans have made, and continue to make, to the social, cultural, economic, and civic fabric of our Commonwealth. 

With more than 180,000 Arab Americans calling Pennsylvania home, this recognition is more than symbolic. It is an affirmation that their stories, histories, and contributions are an essential part of the story of Pennsylvania itself. At a time when too many communities are experiencing erasure, marginalization, and division, it is important that we intentionally uplift the rich diversity that strengthens our Commonwealth and ensure that all Pennsylvanians can see themselves reflected in our shared history and collective future. 

This week, I was proud to see two bills I co-sponsored—House Bill 2474 and House Bill 1077—pass through the House. Both pieces of legislation reflect a broader commitment to protecting and investing in the well-being of our children in a rapidly changing world. 

House Bill 2474 would ensure that law enforcement is notified as early as possible when a child is targeted through sexually explicit deepfake images. As artificial intelligence and image-generating technology become more accessible, so too do new forms of exploitation and abuse. Young people across the Commonwealth are now navigating fears and harms that previous generations could scarcely imagine. I co-sponsored this legislation because we have a responsibility to confront these emerging threats proactively, close dangerous reporting gaps, and ensure that those who exploit children using these technologies are held accountable. 

I was also proud to support House Bill 1077, which would establish the Commission on Children’s Vision to help ensure that every child in Pennsylvania who needs glasses can access them. The commission would collaborate with vision care professionals and nonprofit partners to develop a statewide plan for providing glasses and follow-up eye care services to children in need. 

This issue is especially personal to me. My father was an ophthalmologist, and I grew up understanding both the importance of vision care and the life-changing impact it can have. I also know firsthand the necessity of having access to glasses. Far too many students struggle academically not because they lack intelligence or potential, but because they simply cannot see clearly in the classroom. Access to vision care is not a privilege—it is foundational to learning, confidence, and opportunity. When we invest in children’s health, we invest in their future. 

This week, we celebrated the graduation of the 16th cohort of our Senior-to-Senior Program with ceremonies held at Hill-Freedman World Academy and Parkway Northwest High School. Since launching in Spring 2021, this program has served more than 150 seniors and engaged over 100 student participants, creating meaningful intergenerational connections rooted in learning, patience, and mutual respect. 

Throughout the program, seniors and students came together to exchange knowledge, share experiences, and build relationships that transcend age and background. Listening to participants reflect on their partnerships was a powerful reminder of what becomes possible when we intentionally create spaces for generations to learn from and support one another. 

Seniors spoke about the kindness, patience, and dedication shown by students, while students reflected on the wisdom, openness, and life experiences shared by their senior partners. These relationships are a testament to the kind of compassionate, connected community we should continue striving to build. 

I want to extend my deepest gratitude to our students, seniors, educators, community partners, and Team 200 staff who helped make this milestone possible. A special thank you to Hill-Freedman World Academy, Parkway Northwest High School, and our valued partners at Chestnut Hill College for their continued collaboration and commitment to strengthening intergenerational engagement in our community. 

Congratulations again to all of our graduates. Your commitment to learning, community-building, and uplifting one another represents the very best of our district. 

If you are interested in participating in the Fall 2026 Senior-to-Senior Program, please contact our office for more information. We would love to continue growing this intergenerational movement together. 

Congratulations to Amber S. Jones and Sincear Walter, two Temple University students in my district, who received 2025-26 Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus Foundation James R. Roebuck Scholarship awards.  

Amber and Sincear will be able to use this $1,000 scholarship for educational purposes such as tuition, fees, books, or school-related supplies and equipment. I’m so proud of them for representing the district and representing the promise of the PLBC to uplift strong voices of color throughout the Commonwealth. 

Join me for one of our most popular community events—our Spring Shredding Event!? 

We’ll?be back on?Saturday, June 6, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM?at?New Covenant Campus (7500 Germantown Ave.). This is?a great opportunity?to safely dispose of your personal and sensitive documents.? 

I’m?proud to once again partner with Councilwoman Kendra Brooks—this continues to be a strong and impactful collaboration in service to our community.? 

Please note that each person is?permitted?to bring?up to?two large trash bags?of documents for shredding. This event is intended for personal use only—it is not a business or general trash drop-off.? 

Now is?a great time?to start getting your papers organized!? 

We will also be partnering again with the District Attorney’s Office to?provide?a safe way to dispose of unused or expired medications.? 

I look forward to seeing you there and continuing to serve our community together. 

As a member of the Pennsylvania General Assembly, I acknowledge that this commonwealth exists on the tribal lands of the Erie, Haudenosaunee, Lenape, Munsee, Shawnee and Susquehannock.

Pennsylvania State Capitol
322 Irvis Office Bldg.

PO Box 202200
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2200
(717) 783-2178

District Office

7216 Germantown Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19119
(215) 242-7300

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