Shusterman receives Humane Legislator of the Year award

(Apr 29, 2024)

“I am beyond humbled yet proud to receive this award,” Shusterman said. “It is our duty to protect the rights and humane treatment of animals across the Commonwealth and the country. I thank The Humane Society for this recognition and my colleagues in the Animal Protection Caucus for working together to protect animals.” Read more

 

Shusterman celebrates passage of H.B. 1853

(Apr 15, 2024)

“We’re always looking to improve the lives of seniors in Pennsylvania,” Shusterman said. “By encouraging communication between the Department of Health and nursing home staff, we hope that the exchange of ideas and information between these two groups will lead to a unified effort to provide the best senior care possible. I want to thank my colleagues for their support of this legislation, including my fellow state Representative Kristin Marcell for her co-sponsorship and effort in delivering this legislation.” Read more

 

E-Blast: Family Arbitration Bill, Expanded Doula Access & More!

(Apr 12, 2024)

I am excited to announce that my bill, H.B. 917, is heading to the desk of Gov. Josh Shapiro after a unanimous vote on concurrence this week in the House! The Uniform Family Law Arbitration Act will provide families with a voluntary and private process for resolving disputes with the help of an arbitrator. Read more

 

Shusterman & Davis family law arbitration bill heads to governor’s desk

(Apr 10, 2024)

“Resolving family law disputes through court proceedings can be a bitter and financially ruinous process,” Shusterman said. “The partner with deeper pockets and access to the best legal counsel often has an advantage, frequently placing children in the middle of drawn-out legal battles." Read more

 

E-Blast: Legislative Updates, Summer Internship & More!

(Apr 05, 2024)

We were off and running in our return to legislative sessions in Harrisburg! We wasted no time getting legislation that would improve the lives of all Pennsylvanians out of committee, to the floor of the House, and on to the state Senate! I wanted to share some highlights along with other helpful information! Read more

 

Shusterman announces $843,000 for multimodal transportation improvements

(Mar 28, 2024)

“Thanks to this funding, the people of Easttown Township will soon be able to walk a little easier, and the people of Schuylkill Township will soon be able to drive a little easier," Shusterman said. Read more

 

Shusterman announces “It Should Be A Law” essay contest for local students

(Mar 27, 2024)

"I am eager to read the thoughtful and innovative ideas our young minds will put forward," Shusterman said. "This contest is not just an opportunity for our fourth-graders to showcase their writing skills, but also a chance to instill a sense of civic responsibility. I am passionate about nurturing creativity and civic engagement in our youth. This contest provides an excellent platform for our budding changemakers to have their voices heard in the 157th Legislative District." Read more

 

Shusterman touts bicameral food safety legislation

(Mar 19, 2024)

“The citizens of PA should be able to trust that the food at the grocery store is safe. Worrying about health risks contained in the additives in foods, and scouring the fine print of labels, should not be something consumers have to add to their grocery lists,” Shusterman said. “I hope these food safety bills will be ones that legislators can come together in a bipartisan manner to support, and I want to thank Rep. Mihalek for taking the lead on this issue in the House.” Read more

 

E-Blast: Coffee & Conversation, Equal Pay Day & More!

(Mar 14, 2024)

COFFEE TALK IS BACK! Join me for coffee & one-on-one conversation at Cup Of Dreams Coffee and Tea on Thursday, March 28th from 9:30-11:30 am! Read more

 

E-Blast: SEPTA Sign Up Events, Justice for Women on Medicaid & More!

(Mar 01, 2024)

Senator Carolyn Comitta and I are hosting a Senior SEPTA pass signup event on March 6! Join us from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. at the Tredyffrin Public Library. All residents 65+ are welcome to sign up for this FREE travel benefit. To apply, please bring a valid photo ID with your current address. No appointment is necessary. Read more

 

2024 Winter Newsletter

(Feb 02, 2024)

Greetings neighbors! I am thrilled to announce that 2023 was an incredibly successful year for the 157th Legislative District. Read more

 

Grants available as of Tuesday, Jan. 30

(Jan 30, 2024)

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Environmental Protection: Small Business Advantage Grant Who May Apply: For-profit businesses registered to do business in Pennsylvania with 100 or fewer full time equivalent employees. Use: To install equipment/material resulting in energy efficiency improvements or pollution prevent, natural resource or energy conservation, reduction of environmental contamination from air emissions and water effluents, or to develop and apply environmental improvement technologies and methods. Funds: DEP expects to award approximately $1 million in grants. Application Deadline: March 22, 2024, or until program funds are exhausted. More information: DEP Website Department of Health: WalkWorks Grant Who May Apply: Municipalities and metropolitan and rural planning organizations. Use: Funds will be available to applicants to assist with the development of a plan, which will identify and prioritize projects related to modes of active transportation with an emphasis on walking, biking, using a wheelchair, and public transit. Funds: Funding will depend on the number of applications received and the amounts requested. Application Deadline: March 22, 2024 More information: DOH Website Liquor Control Board: Reducing Underage Drinking and Dangerous Drinking Grant Who May Apply: School districts, including trade and technical schools, institutions of higher education, municipal representatives, nonprofit and for-profit Read more

 

Shusterman celebrates more than $4 million in 2023 grants

(Jan 25, 2024)

“By securing over $4 million in 2023, we’re providing the necessary resources to help the people of the 157th District solve problems and plan for the future,” Shusterman said. “All aspects of our community will see improvements. Infrastructure, local businesses, parks, schools, seniors, and the people of the 157th Legislative District and Pennsylvania will benefit from this great use of state funds. I hope to deliver even more in 2024!” Read more

 

E-Blast: Coffee and Conversation, Legislative Updates & More!

(Jan 22, 2024)

COFFEE TALK IS BACK! Join me for coffee & one-on-one conversation at Tredyffrin Public Library on Friday, January 26 from 10 a.m.-11:30 am! Bring your state government questions, grab a PA coloring book for the kids, sign up for a Senior SEPTA pass, & learn about the services my office can provide for you! Read more

 

State lawmakers roll out legislation to facilitate safe abortion access

(Jan 22, 2024)

HARRISBURG, Jan. 22 – Today, on the 51st anniversary of the Supreme Court’s landmark decision in Roe v. Wade , state Rep. Tarik Khan, D-Philadelphia, hosted a news conference at the state Capitol announcing the introduction of legislation regarding abortion rights. Rep. Khan was joined by fellow legislators and abortion-rights advocates. The legislation aims to remove unnecessary obstacles to safe abortion access by eliminating the requirement that abortion facilities meet the same regulations as ambulatory surgical centers. It would also remove the excessive mandate that abortion providers maintain admitting privileges or have transfer agreements at hospitals, which only blocks access to care. The legislators who have also prime-sponsored Khan’s bill are state Reps. La'Tasha D. Mayes, D-Allegheny; Mary Jo Daley, D-Montgomery; Mary Issacson, D-Phila.; Gina H. Curry, D-Delaware; Melissa Shusterman, D-Chester; Danielle Friel Otten, D-Chester; Tara Probst, D-Monroe/Pike; Heather Boyd, D-Delaware; Liz Hanbidge, D-Montgomery; Leanne Krueger, D-Delaware; and Elizabeth Fiedler, D-Philadelphia. "As a nurse, I know that restrictive abortion laws do not lower abortion rates — they just make them less safe," Khan said. "We must remove any unnecessary requirements from facilities that provide this care. Our bill increases access to safe abortion by increasing people's access to safe abortion Read more

 

Shusterman announces $212,824 in nature and recreation grants

(Jan 17, 2024)

"I'm excited to announce these grants have been awarded to deserving projects in the 157th Legislative District,” Shusterman said. Young people in our community spearheaded the idea for a bike park, which will add an additional form of recreation in Mill Road Park. By locating the bike park so that it is accessible via the Chester Valley Trail, we hope to encourage bike ridership and promote accessibility." Read more

 

PA Gov. Josh Shapiro celebrates child care tax credit during Chester County visit

(Jan 12, 2024)

State Rep. Melissa Shusterman and Rep. Tina Davis championed the tax credit bill. Shusterman said she attended the YMCA as a child and said that the credit would cut the financial burden of raising a family. She referred to it as a lifeline.“It took a coalition working hard… to push this through,” Shusterman said.With pandemic-era federal aid to childcare providers ending on Sept. 30 and 3,000 childcare programs in danger of closing, Shusterman believes the credit will help address a looming childcare crisis. Read more

 

Shusterman applauds final passage of bipartisan state budget

(Dec 14, 2023)

It’s truly an honor to have legislation I sponsored signed into law, especially since it will put more money back into the pockets of nearly a quarter million families and enable parents to return to the workforce. This is a historic investment in Pennsylvania families, and both sides of the aisle agree that it is the right thing to do. Read more

 

Shusterman touts Childcare & Dependent Care Tax Credit expansion

(Dec 14, 2023)

“Here in the Commonwealth, quality childcare for one child averages over $12,000 a year and is often more than that in many parts of the state,” Shusterman said. “Employers need workers, and working families need child care they can afford. In collaboration with Representative Tina Davis of Bucks County, I’m proud to have worked on legislation for this tax credit that was included in our Commonwealth’s Fiscal Code bill. And I applaud the Chester County Chamber of Business and Industry’s president & CEO, Laura Manion, who really spearheaded this message for 2023.” Read more

 

E-Blast: Legislative Updates, Election Ballot Changes & More!

(Dec 08, 2023)

A constituent in my district was going through a messy divorce because her ex-husband had the means to manipulate our legal system. Through an extraordinary number of court filings, court dates, and legal fees, he continued to harass his former partner. Read more