I hope everyone enjoyed their Independence Day celebrations! While we were tremendously disappointed with the cancellation of the Marple Newtown Parade, I am grateful to the committee who put so much hard work into planning and logistics. I also commend all involved who coordinated to try and make the parade happen, but then had to make the difficult (but most safe) decision to cancel. I know we will be back better than ever next year!
Cheers to Garrett Hill who hosted an abbreviated but as always festive event in Radnor. I just love how the 168th celebrates!
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As I write, I just received the call back to Harrisburg to vote on a budget. We are scheduled to go back on Saturday night for budget caucus with a voting session on Sunday. I am anxious to learn what is in the negotiated budget and have high hopes for additional funding for our first responders and our schools, while also continuing the increased funding for Delco’s hospitals that we were able to secure in the wake of the closing of Crozer Health.
We have been told all throughout this process to be realistic in our expectations, as there would most likely not be a lot of “new” money allocated (as we’d previously anticipated), but my hope is we can continue the additional investments made in community services in the last budget and truly say we have delivered a budget which benefits all Pennsylvanians.
We will see, and I hope to have a full report to share with you once we finish our budget caucus on Saturday night.
As we get into the full swing of summer, I am excited for the events we have coming up and for the planning we have underway for the (dare I say it) fall season. Lots of opportunities for shredding, disposing of electronics, donating blood, and much more! I’m grateful to my staff who are planning ahead and who have been also holding down the fort while I’ve been in Harrisburg.
With the U.S. now out of the World Cup (but did you see our 168th neighbors shine!?) we can focus our attention on the Major League Baseball All-Star Game! I am a fan of the game but really love the Home Run Derby. And if you want to meet some previous year all-stars up close and personal, join me at the Phillies Legends at the Firehouse to benefit Newtown Square Fire Company on July 19th! Hope to see you there...go Phillies!
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Harrisburg Update
- HB1460 passes through Senate committee
- IBEW Local 614 reaches tentative agreement
- PA Insurance Dept. launches effort to inform women on preventive care
In the District
- Public comments are open for PA352/US1 Project
- IKEA opens in Middletown Twp
Events
- Blood Drive (7/23 and 7/29)
- Paper Shredding & Electronics Recycling (8/8)
FYI
- New grant program boosts highway industry careers for PA students
- PECO solar programs can help lower bills for residential, commercial, & nonprofit customers
- Nominations open for 2027 PA Trail of the Year
Community Events & Announcements
- Newtown Square Farmers Market at Garrett Williamson (7/10)
- Chesco Pops concert: Celebrate America (7/12)
- Adventures in Ecological Horticulture - at Haverford College (7/15)
- Meet Phillies Legends at the Newtown Square Fire House (7/19)
- Bartram's Covered Bridge Siding Restoration
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H.B. 1460 passes through Senate committee
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With a majority vote in the Senate Committee on Institutional Sustainability & Innovation, HB 1460 is one step away from the Governor’s Desk; all we need is for the Senate to vote.
I first introduced this measure after Delaware County saw the closure of Chester Crozer Medical Center and Taylor Hospital. Over a half-million residents of Delco were left with only two acute hospitals. This happened after Prospect Medical Holdings, a private equity firm from California, disastrously ran the hospitals and risked the lives of nearly half a million people so a handful of executives could grow their personal wealth. As well as risking lives, over 2,600 nurses, physicians, food service, environmental staff, technicians, therapists, administrative staff, and EMS professionals lost their jobs.
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This is not just a story in Delaware County, but across our commonwealth. Health system closures are felt across the state as we have lost 26 non-profit and for-profit hospitals, and 46 hospitals across the state have changed owners.
HB 1460 has one goal, and that is protecting health care access in Pennsylvania. It would provide our Attorney General with the tools needed to review transactions before being finalized and provides for ongoing monitoring to ensure that these transactions are not against the public interest. The AG can evaluate these transactions to ensure there is no unfair compensation, a reduction in access or availability to services, minimize the impact on our already struggling rural, low-income, and disadvantaged communities, and provide a process to evaluate potentially damaging health care leaseback agreements.
Private equity has led to the demise of so many health facilities in PA. Now, impacted communities could have a say in the process. My legislation would strengthen PA’s ability to protect health care services, ensure community access to hospitals, and limit the negative impact of private equity.
As we get ready to head back to Harrisburg on Saturday and Sunday to consider and vote on the 2027 budget, I am really hoping we can move forward on some meaningful protections for our hospitals and health systems.
Thank you, Councilwoman Dr. Monica Taylor for making the case to use the devastating lessons learned from Prospect Medical Holdings theft of healthcare in Delco to ensure this never happens again in our commonwealth to another community.
I'm grateful to the Councilwoman for her support of the legislation Sen. Tim Kearney and I have worked on -- I hope you take a few minutes to read her opinion piece published yesterday in City & State: PA hospitals are in critical condition – new legislation can stop private equity from pulling the plug
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IBEW Local 614 reaches tentative agreement
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I am grateful to hear that on Monday night IBEW Local 614 and PECO reached a tentative contract agreement after striking over the weekend! I am thankful that both parties stayed at the table to negotiate a deal that gives these workers the compensation they deserve for the essential and dangerous job they do to keep the lights on and the gas lines safe.
You can learn more via this Daily Times article.
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With a busy June of session days at the Capitol now behind us, my House colleagues and I are preparing to return to Harrisburg to finalize the state budget. We are being called back this weekend to consider the Senate's version of the budget, and I'm hoping we reach a deal we can all agree is best for the commonwealth. I'm interested to see the Senate's counterproposals to the budget legislation the House sent them back in April.
You may recall from last year that an overdue state budget can affect crucial funding disbursement to school districts, municipalities, counties, and nonprofits that provide important services in communities like ours.
Budget or no budget, there's still a lot of legislating to do in order to address pressing issues, and we've continued advancing measures on behalf of Pennsylvanians, like those I told you about in my previous e-newsletter, including a bill package that would protect you from negative impacts of data centers and AI. As I shared in the story above, I’m also still anxiously awaiting Senate action on H.B. 1460, my legislation that would prevent more hospital closures by granting greater oversight of proposed health system sales involving private equity firms.
As always, I am working every day to represent our community’s needs in Harrisburg. I'll continue keeping you updated as the budget moves forward and as this and other bills advance.
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I had the chance to join colleagues and Pennsylvanians of all faiths and backgrounds for the annual PA Capitol Friendship Dinner hosted by the Peace Islands Institute of Pennsylvania.
The Turkish food and coffee were delicious, and we were treated to some beautiful live classical music!
This always such a lovely event centered on community and belonging!
You can learn more about the Institute at their website.
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PA Insurance Dept. launches effort to inform women on preventive care
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Employees of the PA Insurance Dept. will be traveling the commonwealth to share information on women’s preventive health care benefits available from the state. These casual, informational sessions will include time for discussion and Q&A, and will cover:
- What preventive services are and why they matter
- Which services are available at no cost
- How to access your benefits
- Where to go for help
Plus, there will be plenty of time for open conversation and to answer any questions you might have.
Click here to see the list of sessions scheduled so far. I will update you if more are added in our region -- I'm hoping to see them schedule some virtual sessions.
Covered preventive services include:
- Annual wellness visits;
- Screening for urinary incontinence, breast cancer, cervical cancer, anxiety, HIV, and for diabetes in pregnancy and after pregnancy;
- Screening and counseling for interpersonal and domestic violence;
- Breastfeeding services and supplies;
- Contraception;
- Counseling for sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
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Public comments are open for PA352/US1 Project
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As you may have heard, PennDOT is now accepting public comment on the DRAFT Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) Report for the PA352/US1 Roadway Improvements Project.
The Draft PEL Report can be found online at the project website at pa352us1delco.com or you can review hard copies of the document in my office or at the Middletown Township Building.
Middletown Township Administration Building
27 Pennell Road
Media, PA 19063
Monday through Friday, 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
Please call (610) 565-2700 in advance.
State Representative Lisa Borowski 168th District Office
24 S Newtown Street Road, Suite 100
Newtown Square, PA 19073
Monday through Thursday, 9:00 am – 4:30 pm; Friday, 9:00 am to 1:30 pm
Please call (484) 427-2884 in advance.
The study is being conducted by PennDOT in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). The results of the PEL Study are meant to identify a transportation alternative to advance into the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process and preliminary engineering. This is a critical time for residents to weigh in on the project before it reaches the next stages of development.
All comments must be received by the end of the day, July 17, 2026. Comments may be submitted via the online comment form at pa352us1delco.com or by filling out a paper comment form at one of the locations listed above. Comments may also be submitted in writing to:
PennDOT District 6-0
7000 Geerdes Boulevard
King of Prussia, PA 19406
Attn: Madeleine Fausto, Project Manager
Comments received during the public review period along with PennDOT’s responses to those comments will be included as part of the final PEL Study for the project.
According to PennDOT, "The Route 352 (Middletown Road) and U.S. 1 Roadway Improvements Project will be designed to improve safety and reduce congestion at the Cloverleaf Interchange between U.S. 1 and Route 352 at the terminus of the Media Bypass Interchange with Baltimore Pike. The project also includes improvements to the adjoining roadway network comprised of Baltimore Pike, Route 352, and Route 452."
Check out the Draft PEL Report in person or online and make your voice heard!
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IKEA opens in Middletown Twp
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Yesterday, I attended the grand opening of the new IKEA in the Granite Run Promenade! The new location serves as a “Plan and Order Point,” which is a toned-down version of the traditional IKEA box store. You can view their showroom and order IKEA products in the store, as well as have the products delivered to their location so you don't have to venture to the main locations.
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I was happy to welcome IKEA to the district alongside Middletown Council Chair Chris Stump, Middletown Councilwoman Susan Powell, Delaware County Councilwoman Joanne Phillips, Cody Lotrecchio from IKEA, and President of the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce, Trish McFarland.
This is another great addition to our district, and I was happy to see its launch firsthand!
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New grant program boosts highway industry careers for PA students
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PennDOT and the Pennsylvania Department of Education have launched a competitive grant program to expand career pathways in the Heavy Highway Industry. From July 7 to Sept. 1, eligible educational institutions—including K-12 schools, career centers, and colleges—can apply for up to $500,000 to fund training, certifications, and on-the-job learning for skilled trades like welding, electrical work, and surveying.
With 92% of contractors struggling to fill positions and 41% of the workforce set to retire by 2031, the $12 million program addresses critical shortages. Applications must demonstrate collaboration with industry partners.
“These grants will help schools start or expand programs to expose students to the trades that will continue building Pennsylvania,” said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll.
The initiative builds on the Shapiro administration’s $65 million CTE investment and supports the Commonwealth Workforce Transformation Program. Learn more at PennDOT or PDE.
The new competitive grant program will accept applications from July 7 - Sept. 1.
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PECO solar programs can help lower bills for residential, commercial, & nonprofit customers
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PECO's solar programs present an opportunity to help counter rising electric bills. Residential PECO rates for generation plus distribution have risen about 30% in the last year, recently topping $0.22/kwhr. This means solar payback is about the same as it was, even though the Solar Tax Credit has gone away. For commercial PECO customers, the 30% Investment Tax Credit for commercial solar remains as long as solar is installed in the next year, which is a historically high return on investment.
Assistance for both Commercial and Residential customers in making their solar decision is supported by the 501c3 non-profits Solarize Delco and the Pennsylvania Solar Center.
For Residential Electric Customers
Learn about how local volunteers for a Delco non-profit, including members of your own Environmental Advisory Committee, can help you decide whether solar is right for you. Several videos will give you an idea of who they are are and what they can do for you - including a recent local ABC news feature and Solar in 10 minutes. The last year of the ITC has also flipped the script on whether solar “leasing”, aka long term power purchase agreements (PPAs), makes sense. Installers still have access to the ITC which results in costs that are about 40% or more lower than current power costs. You can see the videos, learn more and schedule a virtual meeting with a local volunteer – at https://solarizedelco.org/.
For Delaware County Non-Profits
Solarize Delco, a nonprofit solar education and advocacy organization serving Delaware County, Pennsylvania, has launched a community grant program to help local nonprofit organizations go solar. Learn how your Delaware County based non-profit facility can apply for a grant to cover up to 50% of the cost of a solar photovoltaic (PV) installation at their Delaware County facility, up to a maximum of $20,000 per organization. Available to help mission-driven organizations reduce energy costs and go solar. Grants are available now while funds last. Learn more at https://solarizedelco.org/solar-grants-now-available-to-delco-nonprofits/.
Business Webinar: Access to the 30% Investment Tax Credit for Solar Installation
On Thursday, July 9, 2026, at 7:00 p.m., join Solarize Delco, Discover Haverford, and the Haverford Township Environmental Advisory Committee for a free webinar presented by Solarize Greater Philadelphia on its G.E.T. Solar support program for area businesses.
Designed for commercial PECO account holders, the G.E.T. Solar program provides comprehensive, unbiased assistance to help businesses evaluate whether solar is a good fit. Participants receive support in assessing project feasibility, obtaining and comparing proposals, and developing financing strategies.
The webinar will cover:
- Turnkey support for commercial solar projects
- Available tax incentives and upcoming application deadlines
- Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) options
- Success stories from municipalities, businesses, and nonprofit organizations
This session is open to all businesses throughout Delaware County. Registration is required. https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/n5y3rt6
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Nominations open for 2027 PA Trail of the Year
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You can now nominate your favorite trail to be selected as Pennsylvania’s 2027 Trail of the Year. To be considered, a nomination form and supporting documentation must be submitted online by July 31. The trail management organization will be recognized as the award recipient.
Visit the Pennsylvania Trail of the Year webpage for more information about where to submit the form and supporting materials. The Trail of the Year will be announced in early 2027. ?
The winning trail will be recognized in a news release; through a commemorative poster for statewide distribution; with a trailhead marker along the trail; and a grant for educational programs to promote safety and environmental protection on the trail.
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Community Events & Announcements
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Bartram’s Covered Bridge Siding Restoration
To be a part of the restoration story, check out this link. In 2019 Newtown and Willistown Townships began planning the latest restoration of the Bartram’s Covered Bridge. Both Townships agreed to undertake the preservation and restoration work, but it took a few years to formalize the plans and allocate the money. Willistown and Newtown are each contributing $375,000 toward this renovation and reconstruction, with the state contributing $100,000. Work on the stone foundation was completed in 2024, and the timber truss and decking work began in 2025. The Bridge was elevated so that the timber work could be performed. Both Burr arches were repaired and bridge decking and various wood components were repaired or replaced. This work was completed in May 2026.
The siding for the bridge was not part of the project. The existing siding in not in good condition, but the two townships have exhausted their available resources, so the Newtown Square Historical Society has committed to raising the funds necessary to replace the siding. More information
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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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