I hope everyone enjoyed some quality downtime with family and friends over the past few weeks and is now enjoying this little preview taste of spring!
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2026 is going to be exciting! Our region is at the epicenter of events celebrating the nation's 250th birthday, with Delco and the 168th playing a prominent role in many of the festivities. In case you haven't heard, the 'We the People' Delco Semiquin Kick Off Party will be held at Valley Forge Military College tomorrow, Friday, January 9th. This is a sneek peek of all that is planned for Delco's celebration. Get your tickets here.
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Visit Delco put together a really great webpage with a full itinerary of things to do and places to see across the county and, not to brag, but... of the 31 premier sites listed, nine are located in the 168th! From the Bartram's Covered Bridge in Newtown Square to the Sports Legends of Delaware County Museum in Wayne, we have history covered.
The America250PADelco site also has plenty of opportunities and schedules to explore for people of all ages and areas of interest -- click here or the preview image below!
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The 168th is also so excited to welcome the PGA Championship to Newtown Township at Aronimink Golf Club. I know that Newtown has been collaborating with the PGA to make sure the event runs smoothly with minimal disruptions to the community. It is exciting to welcome such a prestigious event to our backyard, and I look forward to seeing our beautiful communities on full display for the world to see.
There is so much more to look forward to this year. I'm eager to head back to Harrisburg in a few weeks with hopes of moving legislation before the end of session. Some of my priorities include bills that have already passed through the House and are waiting for action in the Senate: Protecting Pennsylvania Health Services and Facilities (HB1460), Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP) (HB1442), and Pharmacy Prescription Transfer (HB60) are three pieces of important legislation designed to directly impact health and wellness. These three are at the top of my list to try to move forward to the governor's desk.
I also look forward to continuing to work with my House colleagues in a bipartisan manner to move legislation to support our EMS providers (working with Rep. Jill Cooper), incentivize pharma and biomedical innovation and investment in the commonwealth (Reps Friel and Kutz), and standing up for rate payers by restoring fairness and accountability in how our public water systems are managed (Rep. Burgos). Still so much work to be done and only one year left in this session to move it forward.
In the meantime, we are also very busy planning a full calendar of district events to support our communities. From blood drives to financial literacy, our ever-popular shredding and SEPTA card events, we are planning something to hopefully help make life a little easier and more manageable. Marie, Kate, Mary Ann, Alex, Stephanie, Jade and I look forward to welcoming you at one (or more) of our events this year!
Cheers to a happy, healthy, and safe 2026 for your all and, as always, GO BIRDS!
Gratefully,
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Harrisburg Update
- A look back at 2025
- Check out the PA Farm Show!
In the District
- County & local leaders get sworn in
- Hi-Q at Penncrest and Radnor
- Visit to White Horse Village
- Advocating for therapy providers
My Events
- Student Financial Responsibility Seminar (Feb. 2)
FYI
- Litter Hawk Youth Award Program (grades K-6)
- PA ABLE expands eligibility
- New PA State Police program allows college students to finish college degree via State Trooper training
- Nominations open for statewide mental health & justice award
- New website aims to prevent human trafficking
Community Events & Announcements
- Spots still open for Radnor Twp Police Dept's Citizen's Police Academy (begins Feb. 3)
- CraftForms & Living With Craft at Wayne Art Center (thru Jan. 24)
- Virtual Group at Peter's Place: Partner/Spousal Loss (begins Feb. 24)
- "Once Upon a Run" Festival & 5K benefitting Newtown Public Library (April 19)
- Main Line Health's Winter 2026 Free Smoking Cessation Program schedule
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A look back at 2025, through some of the key legislative accomplishments
I was proud to advance for our community over the past year:
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I took the oath of office for my second term as state representative and pledged to continue focusing on strengthening our public schools, supporting first responders, and protecting hospitals from closure. I was elected by my peers to serve as Vice Chair of the Southeast Delegation and co-chair of the Firefighters & EMS Caucus, and was appointed to serve on six standing House committees: Aging & Older Adult Services, Consumer Protection & Utilities, Communications & Technology, Health, Local Government, and Veterans' Affairs & Emergency Preparedness.
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The House passed a bill I introduced in direct response to concerns brought to me by constituents: HB 60 would align Pennsylvania’s policy concerning prescription drug transfers for certain controlled medications with the federal government’s, providing a solution to chronic shortages for patients receiving treatment for conditions like ADHD and depression.
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Along with three co-chairs, I launched the PA House Fire & EMS Caucus to find legislative solutions to the issues facing EMS providers, concentrating on finding solutions for better funding, staffing, and personnel safety.
We began by holding listening sessions at fire and EMS stations across the commonwealth, hearing directly from first responders themselves.
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This was also the month we learned about the two issues that would end up drawing much of our energy and attention for the year.
My colleagues and I in the Southeast Delegation began action immediately when SEPTA announced its proposed service cuts and rate hikes, and Prospect Holdings announced that it would shutter Crozer Health System.
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After we learned about Crozer’s date, I joined Governor Shapiro, Sen. Tim Kearney, and other officials at spots across the southeast to talk about our mission to protect Pennsylvania’s remaining hospitals from being sold to private equity firms that intend to close them after squeezing them for a quick profit. Sen. Kearney and I introduced companion bills (mine is HB 1460, Protecting PA Health Services & Facilities Act) that would give the state greater oversight on health system mergers and acquisitions.
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In the meantime, I secured a win with House approval of my legislation that would ensure people are free to dry their clothes outside at their own home by limiting the extent of HOA restrictions.
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Governor Shapiro signed into law my bill to create consistency and flexibility for second-class townships, doing away with an arbitrary five-day restriction on when new ordinances may take effect.
Newtown Township Board of Supervisors Chair Leonard Altieri, who brought the issue to my attention, and Vice Chair Paul Sanfrancesco joined me to celebrate the official signing of Act 3 of 2025!
Additionally, the House passed two more of my bills:
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- By a strong bipartisan margin, the chamber approved the bill introduced to protect our hospitals from falling onto the same path as Crozer.
- And in an unanimous vote, it approved the bill I introduced, HB 1403, to encourage teachers with inactive certification to return to the profession.
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From June into July, even more of my bills made it into the House chamber for votes, each one passing with wide approval: Morgan Rose’s Law would help research and prevent Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy; and my proposal to modernize our consumer protection law would prevent companies from furtively enrolling you in subscription services.
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On any given day this summer I was likely at a rally for SEPTA or hearing concerning hospital closures, or traveling to Harrisburg to vote on yet another option we put together for Senate leaders to consider to properly fund mass transit and avoid gaping service cuts in Philly, Pittsburgh, and other regions around PA that fuel our economic growth.
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At the beginning of fall, I learned I was ranked the Top Freshman Representative in the 207th Pennsylvania General Assembly (the session that concluded in 2024) by the Center for Effective Lawmaking (CEL), recognition for exceeding expectations for a newly minted lawmaker under its State Legislative Effectiveness Scores. This was an unexpected honor I was proud to earn.
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While I was happy to be able to return home to the 168th on the weekends to participate in our communities’ holiday traditions, I also spent a lot of time in Harrisburg making final pushes on our priorities for the legislative session – for example, participating in a hearing on a measure that would ensure coverage for hearing aids under Medicare and Medicaid, and a meeting of the Law Enforcement Caucus to discuss legislation that would impact municipal police forces
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All the grant awards announced for our district at the end of the year, awarded by various state agencies to help our local communities grow, help give us plenty to look forward to in the new year. I mentioned many of them in my last e-blast, but to reiterate a few of the most impactful projects I was proud to support...
- Newtown Township Municipal Authority was granted $686,850 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.
- Middletown Township Sewer Authority was granted $454,604 to replace the outdated Fair Acres Pump Station and increase its capacity, preventing sewer overflows.
- The Foundation for Delaware County was granted $280,800 for its 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.
- Public Health Management Corp. was granted $500,000 to expand access to evidence-based substance use disorder supports for justice-involved individuals in Delaware County, with a focus on opioid use disorder and stimulant use disorder.
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Check out the PA Farm Show!
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The 2026 PA Farm Show runs from January 10-17 this year, and I can’t wait to sample PA-grown food, pet some adorable farm animals, and celebrate Pennsylvania agriculture!
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The Farm Show is one of the largest indoor agricultural events in America. Admission is free, and the show offers something for everyone: farmers, families, and “foodies” alike. Not so interested in agriculture? Check out the mullet contest, snuggle a goat or mini highland cow, sample a baking competition, and much more.
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County and local leaders get sworn in
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I had a tremendous reason to actually celebrate a Monday this week, with the swearing in of Delaware County’s new county council members, row officers, and interim DA, followed later that day for the swearing in of new supervisors and commissioners at Newtown & Radnor townships.
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We are fortunate to have so many fantastic neighbors from Edgmont, Middletown, Newtown, Radnor, and Delaware County who step up to do the hard work of preserving and protecting our wonderful communities. It’s not always easy (I know) but it is so necessary and impactful.
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I look forward to working with all our local elected officials and their staff. When we work together, we can make a difference!
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Hi-Q at Penncrest and Radnor
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Kicked off the new year with the students at Penncrest High School on Tuesday at the first Delco Hi-Q tournament of 2026; they had a hard-fought battle with Penn Wood and Chester STEM Academy! I caught another competition this morning between the 168th's Radnor High School and Archbishop Carroll and Bonner & Prendie. Congrats to Radnor on kicking butt!
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I am always so impressed by the knowledge of the students who participate in this competition. Thanks go to Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union for creating the opportunity for these young adults to push themselves academically.
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Visit to White Horse Village
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Kate and I had a great time at White Horse Village on Tuesday! We met with our neighbors, processed lots of SEPTA Senior Passes, and had a lively discussion about the state of healthcare in our county, commonwealth, and country.
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We also talked about the legislation to provide a COLA for our pre-Act 9 educators (HB 411 passed the House in the spring and now awaits action by the Senate).
In the 168th we have 10 senior-focused communities. They are a vibrant and important part of what makes the 168th so special. Thank you to White Horse for welcoming Kate and I for a fun afternoon!
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Advocating for therapy providers
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I have been working with a wonderful group of occupational, speech-language-hearing, and physical therapists on my legislation to expand access to these therapies here in Pennsylvania. Lack of insurance coverage of their services and low reimbursement rates that create long wait lists are part of what make their professions difficult, but now the therapy industry is faced with the danger of a shrinking pool of new providers.
Since the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill and the Trump Administration’s decision to stop classifying many specialties in this field as “professions,” students who are currently studying OT, PT, and Speech are having to leave graduate programs because they no longer have access to federal student loans. Placing limits on how much a student can borrow based on what they are studying will negative impact the economy and create enormous workforce challenges.
Click here to take action by telling your federal representatives how important these professionals and the services they provide are to you and/or your loved ones, and through additional tools provided by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
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Litter Hawk Youth Award Program (grades K-6)
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Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful is counting on kids in grades K through 6 who care about having clean places to live and play to become LITTER HAWKS! They can help people see how litter and trash hurts our environment through art, words and video. Litter Hawks help people KEEP COMMUNITIES LITTER FREE and inspire them to dispose of their trash and recycling properly.
In support of America250PA celebrations this coming July for the country's 250th anniversary, this year’s Litter Hawk Youth Award theme is: Celebrate America250 – Keep It Beautiful!
All Pennsylvania students in grades K - 6 are welcome to participate, including individuals, school classrooms, homeschoolers, scout groups, clubs and other organized groups!
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All entries must be submitted by January 31!
Winners will be announced in April with an awards ceremony at the PA State Capitol.
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Submit a poster, essay or video that shows how you can keep your community litter free. First and second place entries in each grade will receive certificates. All participants will receive a Litter Hawk sticker. Categories are: Poster (K-4), Essay (5) and Video (6). Click here for all the details!
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PA ABLE expands eligibility
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The PA ABLE Savings Program has expanded eligibility to allow more Pennsylvanians with disabilities to benefit from a tax-free way to save for their future. Individuals are now eligible to open a PA ABLE account if their disability began before age 46 -- an increase from the previous age limit of 26 -- making this a significant and impactful change.
Since its launch in 2017, PA ABLE has helped people with disabilities build financial security without jeopardizing essential benefits such as Medical Assistance (Medicaid) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
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Participants can contribute up to $20,000 annually, use funds for a wide range of disability-related expenses, and deduct contributions from Pennsylvania state income taxes.
Currently, more than 11,500 Pennsylvanians have saved nearly $185 million through PA ABLE, with many more now eligible due to the expanded age limit. To learn more, visit paable.gov or call 855-529-ABLE (2253).
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New PA State Police program allows college students to finish earning degree via State Trooper Training
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The Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) now allows students in their senior year at participating colleges and universities to earn their remaining credits toward an associate or bachelor’s degree by successfully completing cadet basic training at the Pennsylvania State Police Academy.
Participating college students can graduate with both their degree and a job offer with the PSP at the same time. So far, eligible colleges are: DeSales University, Keystone College, Saint Vincent College, Mercyhurst University, Luzerne County Community College, and Pennsylvania Highlands Community College.
The program is not limited to criminal justice majors; participating colleges may apply the credits toward any degree program they choose. It awards academic credits much like a traditional internship completed during a student’s final semester: instead of classroom time to earn their remaining credits, students will finish their training at the Academy and earn the remaining credits needed to graduate, allowing them to receive their degree and become a trooper at the same time.
The 2025-26 budget signed by Gov. Shapiro supports the hiring of four additional PSP cadet classes. Learn more here.
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Nominations open for statewide mental health & justice award
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The PA Commission on Crime & Delinquency is accepting nominations for the annual Honorable John A. Zottola Mental Health and Justice Award through February 13, 2025.
In 2022, PCCD created the award in memory of Judge Zottola's dedication and commitment to serving justice-involved special populations. The award is to be bestowed annually upon someone who, in service to the courts, their community and special criminal justice populations, exhibits the same leadership, dedication and passion.
Click here for more info & to submit a nomination.
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New website aims to prevent human trafficking
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The PA Commission on Crime & Delinquency (PCCD) partnered with Villanova University’s Institute to Address Commercial Sexual Exploitation to launch a centralized website with resources designed to empower communities in the fight against human trafficking, both sex-based and labor-based. 44% of victims of the former are exploited by a family member, and 39% are trafficked by a romantic or intimate partner.
The hub brings together trusted information, trauma-informed training, and practical resources for first responders, service providers, and members of the public working to prevent exploitation and support survivors.
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Community Events & Announcements
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Established in 2012 by the Monaghan family in memory of their son Ryan, Ryan’s Hope was created to support adults grieving the death of an important person in their lives. Over time, it has grown to address the many facets of adult grief through compassionate, community-based support.
Ryan’s Hope: Partner/Spousal Loss Virtual Program offers adults a safe space to connect with others, share their experiences, and receive support during times of grief and loss. Groups are designed around both the cause of death (such as substance use or suicide) and the relationship to the person who died. Each group is facilitated by Peter’s Place program staff and is offered at no cost to participants.
There are many facets of grief following the death of a partner or spouse. Explore the emotions that surround the loss of this personal relationship. Coming together with others in a supportive environment can provide connection and compassion during times of grief and loss.
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Pennsylvania State Capitol
28-B East Wing
Harrisburg, PA 17120
(717) 772-2005
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District Office
24 S. Newtown Street Rd., Suite 100
Newtown Square, PA 19073
(484) 427-2884
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