Dear Neighbor, 

Thanks to everyone who came out for yesterday’s Outdoor Discovery Day along the Delaware Canal! It was a great day filled with fun and hands-on informative demonstrations.

A special thank you to the rangers and staff from PFBC, DEP, and DCNR for sharing their expertise and helping make the morning such a success.

And as of last week, another informative College Prep Night is in the books! Thanks to the families who came out for a practical discussion about navigating the college admissions process.

Many thanks to Sen. Steve Santarsiero and his team for once again leading a thoughtful and well-run event, and thank you especially to the experts who shared their time and guidance: Francine E. Block (American College Admissions Consultants), Aizaz Gill (PA Treasury), and Frances McKeown (Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency).

We appreciate everyone who came out and contributed to such a helpful conversation – you can watch the recording to learn their tips and advice.

Sincerely,

Labor Committee moves forward my bill on burial benefits

I testified before the House Labor & Industry Committee (I’m also a member; I chair the Subcommittee on Workers Compensation & Worker Protection) a couple weeks ago about my legislation that would increase the amount of the worker compensation burial benefit granted to the surviving family of a Pennsylvania employee who suffers a fatal work injury.

The law should protect grieving families who experience this tragedy, protecting them from financial burden and instead offering them dignity. For this compensation to be considered fair and just, we must increase it to meet the average burial cost in PA: $20,000. The current benefit is simply insufficient, at only $7,000 – barely enough to make a dent in the cost of putting a loved one to rest.

This burial benefit is often the only benefit provided to the surviving family, as no other benefits are provided to deceased employees without dependents.

The committee voted to approve the bill, making it eligible for consideration by the full House chamber. HB 2049 is a bipartisan measure; one of the co-sponsors is Rep. Natalie Mihalek, R, who represents part of Allegheny County. You can watch my testimony for more information:

Never forget.

On Yom HaShoah, or Holocaust Remembrance Day, I attended the Governor’s Holocaust Commemoration in Harrisburg to remember the six million Jewish people and millions more who were murdered in one of history’s greatest atrocities, and reflect on the responsibility that comes with that memory.

Remembrance is not passive; it calls on us to confront hatred, challenge bold lies, and stand firm in defense of human dignity.

The lessons of the Holocaust are not confined to the past – they demand vigilance in the present. As we honor the millions of souls taken in violence, we recommit ourselves to the values that must guide us forward, including a steadfast belief in the humanity of every person. History shows us that silence in the face of injustice carries consequences. We must choose, again & again, to take action.

Transportation hearing with PennDOT

In case you missed it when I shared a clip from the hearing on Facebook and Instagram, I had the chance to speak with PennDOT Sec. Mike Carroll during our House Appropriations budget hearings back in March:

Acknowledging their success with addressing unique challenges in their broad scope of work, I asked about strategies for attracting workers to staff PennDOT district offices that are having difficulty maintaining adequate staffing levels, in part due to higher costs of living in those areas.

DART is helping our neighbors get back on their feet

Earlier this month I toured Bucks County's innovative Diversion, Assessment, Restoration and Treatment (DART) Center and see firsthand the important work happening there. This is a much-needed solution that helps fill a gap in the system, connecting people with the support they need to help them get back on their feet.

We continued the learning process last week by joining Dept. of Human Services Secretary Arkoosh and county officials to hear how this effort is making a difference in the community, and how we can continue to support this work through thoughtful legislation.

Bucks County Consortium meeting

I recently attended the annual Bucks County Consortium breakfast that convenes state lawmakers for discussion and community updates related to municipal issues. 

I always enjoy taking part in the eye-opening Q&A session with fellow legislators; this year that included Sen. Frank Farry, Rep. Joe Hogan, Rep. Kristin Marcell, Rep. Jim Prokopiak, and Rep. KC Tomlinson; and staff from the offices of Sen. Steve Santarsiero, Sen. Jarrett Coleman, and Rep. Brian Munroe.

The consortium is an excellent organization that fosters efficient cooperation throughout Bucks County, and I value their role in our collaborative regional efforts!

Celebrating the Next Steps' next steps

I had a great time celebrating the next step forward for the innovative Adam’s Way inclusive housing development with The Next Step Programs as they unveiled concept plans for their proposed project in Doylestown Borough.

This project represents a bold step forward in a new model of inclusive housing with a truly unique approach that expands access, supports independence, and meets a critical need for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities here in Bucks County through thoughtfully designed inclusive housing and community spaces.

I am proud to support this work and excited to see Adam's Way take shape.

Visit from LWV Bucks

It was a pleasure to welcome members of the League of Women Voters of Bucks County to our office last week for a thoughtful conversation about legislative priorities and the future of voting access and fair representation in Pennsylvania.

We discussed a range of important topics, including election accessibility, mail-in-ballot processes, our primary system, and the policies that help ensure every eligible voter can fully participate in our democracy.

I’m grateful for the League’s continued work to inform voters, encourage civic engagement, and strengthen "small-d" democracy here in Bucks County and beyond. An engaged and informed electorate is essential to a healthy democracy, and I appreciate the valuable role they play in helping make that possible!

Showing Jim Brexler our gratitude

I was pleased to join Sen. Steve Santarsiero in recognizing James Brexler on his retirement and celebrating his exemplary 50-year career in healthcare and 13 years of leadership and service to our community.

Through his leadership at Doylestown Health and in guiding its transition to Penn Medicine, Jim helped strengthen access to exceptional healthcare for Bucks County and positioned our region’s healthcare system for continued success. He also led with steadiness and resolve through extraordinary challenges, from the COVID-19 pandemic to the aftermath of a devastating tornado.

Thank you, Jim, for your dedication and lasting contributions to the health and well-being of our community. Wishing you all the best in retirement!

Celebrating 80 years of the Central Bucks Chamber

New Hope shows its Pride

Congratulations to New Hope Borough and New Hope Celebrates on the approval of the Crosswalk- Adjacent Pride Street Art! This will be a powerful symbol of inclusion in a town shaped in no small part by generations of LGBTQ community and visibility.

It was a privilege to be at the Council meeting, and to share in the excitement as this project moved forward. This didn’t happen overnight... 

It took persistence, partnership, and a Borough Council willing to work for solutions and stand up (often in ways the public never sees) to bring it across the finish line. And special recognition to New Hope Celebrates President Melissa Patterson, whose leadership and determination made this vision a reality. This lasting mark on the community will be a testament to her dedication and persistence for years to come.

Can’t wait to see this project come to life and celebrate together at the New Hope Pride Parade on May 16!

Honoring our community's newest Eagle Scouts

Becoming an Eagle Scout isn’t something you stumble into; it takes years of commitment and a real desire to leave your community better than you found it. That’s exactly what I see every time I help recognize one of the young people in our community who has recently achieved this milestone. 

Their projects and service have already made a meaningful impact here at home, and I’m excited to see where their leadership takes them next! (Not pictured: Lukas Lotito) 

PA 529 Program: Save for education and for an opportunity to win $5,529

The fifth annual 529 Day Promotion is running May 1 through May 31, 2026! Pennsylvania families who contribute at least $10 to their PA 529 account during May could be eligible to win one of six regional awards of $5,529 to boost their education savings.

The PA 529 College and Career Savings Program is a tax-advantaged way for families to save for a variety of education, including technical training, college, apprenticeship, credential program, and K-12 expenses. Saving with a PA 529 does not impact eligibility for Pennsylvania state financial aid.

There are two PA 529 plans for families to choose from: the PA 529 Guaranteed Savings Plan (GSP), which helps families save at today’s tuition rates to cover tomorrow’s tuition expenses, and the Morningstar Gold-Rated PA 529 Investment Plan (IP), which offers a variety of investment options to choose from.

For the official rules and to learn more about how to make an eligible contribution, visit pa529.com/529day.

Pennsylvania State Capitol

27B East Wing

Harrisburg, PA 17120

(717) 772-2361

District Office

80 North Main St., Suite 1A
Doylestown, PA 18901

(267) 884-0395

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