Wishes for a wonderful rest of your 2025

Rep. Lisa Borowski December 19, 2025

PA Representative Lisa Borowski banner image

Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year, 168th!

I hope everyone has been enjoying a good holiday season, made more festive (for fans of winter, at least!) by the snow last weekend. ?? Overshadowing the festivities, however, is the tragic loss of life over the past week both here and abroad. I am heartsick over the senseless deaths of the Iowa National Guard members and their interpreter in Syria, the killing of students at Brown University, and the massacre of members of the Jewish community at a Hanukkah celebration on Bondi Beach in Australia.

There have been over 380 mass shootings in the United States this year. Let that number sink in. I learned of the Brown University incident when my oldest son, who had gone to Providence with friends for a weekend concert, texted me to say if I’d heard of the mass shooting not to worry, they were safe and were sheltering in place. Not the text you want to receive when you are in the Newtown Square Acme.

Gun violence is far too prevalent in our society. You don’t have to be serving in a war-torn foreign country, you can be a target just by sitting in a lecture hall cramming for your economics final or celebrating a religious holiday in a public space. I often can’t help but feel we’ve forgotten our conflict resolution skills, we have a mental health crisis which is not being adequately addressed – and on top of all that, it is just too easy for people to secure a firearm and do harm.

As a legislator, I am frustrated that we have not been able to get the votes to address these issues. I pray for all those lost and their families, but I know that prayers are not enough. We need to do more.

My hope and resolution as we celebrate the new year is to do something to help make this world a better place. I promise you I am working on it.

Wishing you all peace, joy, and the love of family and friends as you celebrate this wonderful holiday season. Marie, Kate, Mary Ann, Alex, Stephanie, Jade and I have been honored to serve you this past year and we look forward to serving you in 2026!

Happy New Year,

Special Office Hours

In this edition:

Harrisburg Update

- State funding announced for projects in the 168th

- Protecting reproductive rights

In the District

- Ringing in the holidays

- Honoring first responders

- Visit to the Sheet Metal Workers Local 19

- Holiday Party & Unclaimed Property events

- Supporting Newtown Square Fire Co.at Casey's

- Delco Hi-Q returns to the 168th

- Cutting the ribbon at the Hilton Garden Inn Middletown

My Events

- Student Financial Responsibility Seminar (Feb. 2)

FYI

- LIHEAP season has begun

- If you need a last-minute gift...

- Property Tax/Rent Rebate deadline is approaching

Community Events & Announcements

- Light Up Wayne Hanukkah Festival (rescheduled for Dec. 20)

- Bryn Mawr Chanukah Festival (Dec. 21)

- Santa comes to Middletown Twp. (Dec. 21)

- "Once Upon a Run" Festival & 5K benefitting Newtown Public Library (April 19, 2026)

- Main Line Health's Winter 2026 Free Smoking Cessation Program schedule

Harrisburg Update

State funding announced for projects in the 168th

There is no slowdown around the holidays at the Capitol – this week, about a half dozen state agencies announced the projects around the commonwealth that will receive funding under their grant programs. Here’s what’s coming our way.

From the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime & Delinquency

PCCD will distribute nearly $3.5 million in grant funding to programs in Delaware County that serve our community. These grants are designed to “help the helpers” give our neighbors the support they need to heal from trauma, access critical services, and find the stability and hope that’s key in preventing crime before it starts:

$736,372 to expand the Penn Trauma Violence Recovery Program to Delco and increase its engagement through regular community events including firearm safety education, gun safe distribution, and Stop the Bleed training. The expansion will also strengthen partnerships with the local organizations that support Delaware County residents treated at Penn through services like joint case coordination, and extend the successful housing support pilot program with HopePHL.

$50,000 to the Family Support Line of Delaware County to maintain services at children’s advocacy centers that support child victims of abuse and their families. FSL will also receive $4,500 from the Dept. of Community & Economic Development to provide ride-share transportation for 125 low-income families in Delaware County, removing barriers to mental health treatment for child victims of sexual abuse.

$350,000 to the Chester Community Coalition to establish partnerships with hospitals and trauma centers in neighboring communities, including Media and Darby, and provide care for more violently injured residents from Delco.

$97,918 to Domestic Abuse Project of Delaware County to expand the free legal services it provides to survivors of domestic abuse by increasing staffing to meet demand (including recruitment of pro bono attorneys) and launching free mobile legal clinics. DAP will also receive $47,700 from the Dept. of Community & Economic Development to support the same program.

$175,576 to Delaware County Victim Assistance Center to maintain its comprehensive direct services for any victim of sexual assault or other serious crime, and to significant people in the victim's life.

From the Commonwealth Financing Authority

The following grants were awarded by CFA via the Statewide Local Share Account program, which distributes gaming revenues to support regional projects in the public interest:

$686,850 for the Newtown Township Municipal Authority to rehabilitate the sanitary sewer infrastructure – among the oldest in the township – along West Chester Pike, French Road, and Bryn Mawr Avenue, and make corresponding road improvements including new asphalt and line striping in the affected area.

$454,604 for the Middletown Township Sewer Authority to replace the outdated Fair Acres Pump Station and increase its capacity, preventing sewer overflows.

$224,274 for Delaware County to establish a countywide flood warning network. The county will purchase 50 AWARE stream/flood monitors to position around its streams and creeks. The monitors will deliver critical, real-time environmental insights to help the county anticipate and respond to extreme weather events.

- Delaware County will also receive $150,000 on behalf of the Delaware County Emergency Services Center to complete an LED retrofitting and submetering project in its building located in Middletown Township, a step in making much-needed energy efficiency upgrades to the aging facility.

$67,943 for Delaware County Economic Development Corporation to purchase a high-ceiling cargo van for its Teachers’ Teammates program, which distributes donated school supplies to 75 schools in the county. Until now, teachers needed to drive to a warehouse to pick up their supplies; the van will allow program staff to deliver supplies directly to teachers and to streamline pickup operations, resulting in their ability to make more deliveries and assist more classrooms.

From the Dept. of Community & Economic Development

The following projects received grants under the Neighborhood Assistance Program:

$16,250 for the Community Action Agency of Delaware County to renovate and upgrade the facility to continue to provide essential support to over 3,000 households annually.

$31,500 for Entrepreneur Works Fund to help more low- to moderate-income entrepreneurs stabilize and grow their small businesses by providing them with affordable, flexible loans and business support services – creating jobs and improving the local economy in the process.

$280,800 for The Foundation for Delaware County’s Housing Opportunities Program for Equity (HOPE) to help at least 300 housing insecure families with young children or an expecting mother maintain safe, stable housing.

Protecting reproductive rights for everyone

We passed two important reproductive freedom bills in the PA House this week that would enshrine bodily autonomy and the right to choose for individuals in Pennsylvania.

HB 1251, introduced by our neighbor in Delco, Rep. Gina Curry, would accelerate and broaden patient access to physical therapy for conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum recovery by allowing direct referrals from midwives.

HB 1957 would amend the state constitution to explicitly guarantee reproductive health freedom for every person. It covers choices about abortion up until fetal viability, as well as contraception and fertility care. To be signed into law, the bill must pass in two consecutive legislative sessions and then be approved by voters in a statewide ballot question.

In the District

Ringing in the holidays in Wayne & Newtown Square

It was a fabulous night in Radnor Township as the Wayne Business Association and Radnor Fire Company brought Christmas and Santa to the 168th! There was even ice skating!

Thank you to Radnor Township Police Department for making all this good cheer possible, and thank you to 6abc Action News anchor and Radnor resident Ducis Rodgers for counting us down!

So much fun with my friend Maggy Myers, President of the Radnor Board of Commissioners; her husband, Jon; Commissioner Moira Mulroney and her husband, Chris; newly elected Vice President of the Radnor Twp. School Board Susan Stern, and Chief of Police Chris Flanagan!

The holiday fun continued at the annual Newtown Square Business Association’s tree lighting in St. Alban’s Circle last Sunday.

I was excited to join my friends from Newtown Township to celebrate and welcome Santa, who was escorted by the Newtown Square Fire Company and led the tree lighting countdown with the Chair of the Board of Supervisors Leonard Altieri and his adorable daughter, Lucia!

What a great way to welcome in the most wonderful time of the year!

Honoring first responders

Our firefighters and EMTs have some of the toughest jobs. They respond to people in some of their most desperate and frightening moments and provide a sense of safety and security.

Most are volunteers. They don't do it for the glory or accolades; they do it out of love for their neighbors. We are so fortunate to have these public servants protecting us across the 168th!

Last week, we honored three of our own at Newtown Square Fire Company who exemplify what it means to serve. I was privileged to join Chief Chris Young and the NSFC members at their monthly meeting to bring PA House of Representative commendation citations to add to the honors recently bestowed on three firefighters by the Delaware County Fireman's Association. A grateful commonwealth and your neighbors thank you!

Congratulations to William Rankin, recipient of the Andrew Hogan Memorial Fire Safety Education Award; Karl Keehn, recipient of the Harry Maitland Lifetime Achievement Award, and Eric Harper, recipient of the Robert R. Baxter Jr. Firefighter of the Year.

Looking to give back to your community in a significant and meaningful way? Become a member of your local fire company! And if you can't give your time? Donate and support those who will be there when you need them most!

Visiting the Sheet Metal Workers Local 19 training center

I spent last Monday in Philadelphia visiting the Sheet Metal Workers Local 19 Training Center and learning more about the incredible work happening in their Apprenticeship programs. In the state budget we just passed, we made meaningful investments in programs like these because union training opens the door to solid careers and long-term stability.

I met apprentices who are bringing in good wages with strong benefits while gaining hands-on experience, all without taking on student debt. They’re building skills, building families, and strengthening the communities they call home. Local 19 members recently showed that commitment by fabricating and installing a brand-new metal sign for the Hershey American Legion. It’s exactly the kind of community-rooted work that makes me proud to support them.

Holiday Open House & Unclaimed Property event

Last Wednesday, we hosted a little holiday party and helped neighbors search to see if they had any unclaimed property -- funds that could come in handy to pay off those holiday bills. We were glad to help several people reclaim what is theirs!

Thanks to everyone who stopped by and thanks to Team 168! Special shout out to Marie who baked some delicious cookies!

Millions of $$$ in unclaimed property sits in the state’s treasury, and some of it could be yours -- so reach out to my office and have us help you through the process.

Supporting Newtown Square Fire Co. at Casey's

What a fun night at Newtown’s favorite spot, Casey’s, in support of Newtown Square Fire Company with Sheila Turner-Hilliard, President of the Newtown Square Business Association, and Leonard Altieri, Chair of Newtown Township Board of Supervisors. Nothing like slinging a few drinks to help the men and women who step up to support our community 24/7/365!

Thank you NSFC for all you do. This is always a fun night, but I look forward to the day when we fully and completely fund our fire and EMS so that nights like this can just be friendraisers and not fundraisers.

Delco Hi-Q returns to the 168th

I attended a very boisterous match yesterday of the Delco Hi-Q as it came to the 168th for the first time this year at Delaware County Christian School. The home team prevailed, but it was a tight competition with the students from Springfield and Garnet Valley.

Congratulations to all the scholars who put so much work into preparing for the Hi-Q season and the faculty advisors who coach them! It was also great to see our friend Beth Manley, the Adult Financial Education Manager at Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union -- the longtime sponsors of Delco Hi-Q -- and Quiz Master FMFCU Vice President Rick Durante.

Cutting the ribbon at the Hilton Garden Inn Middletown

Mary Ann was on hand for the opening of the 168th’s newest hotel on Tuesday. Located at 2 Donovan Drive in Media, the 107-room, 67,000-square-foot property represents a significant expansion of high-quality lodging options in Delaware County, introducing a full-service hotel with onsite catering and expansive meeting and event space. The project generated more than 200 construction jobs and created 40 new hospitality positions at opening, with long-term workforce growth anticipated as the property ramps up operations.

Designed with Delaware County’s anticipated 2026 tourism boom in mind, the hotel has already secured its group capacity for the 2026 PGA Championship and is positioned to accommodate visitors arriving for FIFA World Cup activity and America250PA celebrations. Its location offers convenient access to many of the area’s major economic and institutional anchors, including Wawa HQ, SAP, IceWorks, Neumann University, and Penn State Brandywine.

Welcome to Middletown!

My Events

FYI

LIHEAP season has begun

The Department of Human Services announced that the 2025-26 Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) season is now taking applications. Normally opened in November each year, the program was delayed due to the federal government shutdown. The 2025-26 season is scheduled to run from December 3 through April 10, 2026.

To protect Pennsylvanians during the delay, Governor Josh Shapiro worked with the Public Utility Commission (PUC) and utility providers to start the winter shutoff moratorium earlier on November 1, 2025 (it usually begins in December each year). This ensured that Pennsylvanians who could not access LIHEAP in November because of the shutdown did not risk having their heat or electricity shut off as temperatures dropped.

LIHEAP assistance does not need to be paid back and is available in the form of cash or crisis grants. The minimum 2025-26 LIHEAP cash grant is $200, and the maximum cash grant is $1,000. Individuals and households may receive one cash grant per LIHEAP season. Click here for more information.

If you need a last-minute gift, the Fish & Boat Commission has you covered

The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission is pleased to announce that fishing licenses, launch permits and gift vouchers are available for purchase! Click here for details. Happy Holidays and “tight lines” from the PFBC!

Property Tax/Rent Rebate Deadline is Approaching!

The last day to apply for your Property Tax/Rent Rebate is December 31st! Stop by to pick up the forms or make an appointment with us for assistance in completing the paperwork. All you need to get started are your county, municipal, and school tax bills or your lease, along with proof of income. Get it done before the holiday rush begins!