Dear Neighbor,

Last week I got to celebrate a win not just for our district, but for all of Bucks County. DART -- the arm of Bucks County Transport that provides public transportation to and from the business district of downtown Doylestown, New Britain, Chalfont, & Warrington -- has just expanded its service area to include Warminster Twp, and now has a permanent line-item in the state budget.

I celebrated the news last week at an event with Rep. Brian Munroe, who represents Warminster; Jim Raymond, CEO of BCT; Lou White, chair of the DART Bus Committee; Bucks County Commissioner Dianne Marseglia; and other local officials from Warrington.

When I think about what it means to help shape transportation policy as a state lawmaker, I think of the seniors I've spoken with about their daily transportation challenges; the veterans at the local Legion trying to stay connected to their community; the young person with a disability who finally found meaningful employment; the individual struggling to get to dialysis appointments; and the worker trying to afford the trip from point A to point B.

These are the people who are able to thrive because of services like DART and the many other programs provided by Bucks County Transport. Ensuring that our public transportation policies meet the real needs of Pennsylvanians should remain at the heart of our work.

Sincerely,

My recent honor from the Keystone of Fraternals

At the end of last month, I had the honor of receiving the 2026 Keystone Legislative Award from the Pennsylvania Fraternal Alliance, also known as the Keystone of Fraternals.

You might recognize some of the names of their members such as the Polish Falcons of America, Police and Firemen's Insurance Association, Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America, National Slovak Society, Greek Catholic Union, Ukrainian Catholics in America, Russian Brotherhood Organization) and the Slovak Catholic Sokol.

Founded in 1901, the Alliance unites fraternal benefit societies across the Commonwealth. Its mission is to provide a platform for grassroots members to engage in community service, leadership development, and local advocacy. Many of these organizations were formed during the industrial era to support neighbors with shared cultural ties when tragedy struck, particularly when workers were injured or killed on the job.

My grandmother, Flanagan, experienced this kind of hardship firsthand. When her father died in the mines in the 1930s, her family was immediately displaced from their company-owned home, and a neighbor took them in during their time of need. This award acknowledges a legislator who has demonstrated exceptional support for the fraternal system and the work of the Alliance.

Along with the award, a donation of $1000 was made to a nonprofit organization in our district; we selected the Friends of the Delaware Canal.

Progress on my proposal to modernize PA's workers' comp burial benefit

Yesterday, the House approved by an overwhelming majority (190-12) my legislation that would raise the workers’ compensation burial benefit given to families to cover the actual cost of burying a loved one who suffers a fatal work injury.

Pennsylvania currently provides a workers' compensation burial benefit of $7,000 to the family of a worker who dies on the job. However, according to the Department of Human Services, the average cost of a burial in the Commonwealth is approximately $20,000.

Click to watch me talk about the bill on the House floor prior to our vote.

The law should protect grieving families from additional financial hardship in the wake of such a tragedy and provide them with dignity and support during their time of loss. To ensure this compensation is fair and just, it must reflect the actual cost of burying a loved one. The current burial benefit is simply insufficient, covering only a fraction of the expenses associated with a funeral and burial.

In many cases, it is also the only benefit available to surviving family members, as workers who die without dependents—such as unmarried individuals, recently divorced workers, or young adults without children—do not leave behind beneficiaries eligible for other workers' compensation death benefits.

A bipartisan measure, H.B. 2049 is co-prime sponsored by Rep. Natalie Mihalek, R-Allegheny; Rep. Jennifer O’Mara, D-Delaware; and Rep. Lindsay Powell, D-Allegheny. The bill now awaits action from the state Senate.

A look at PA’s new investments into neurodegenerative disease research

There are few things I am prouder of, as a member of the House Appropriations Committee, than securing new investments to support research into neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS.

While advocating for this funding during a session day in 2023, I met Paul Miller, a resident of Lackawanna County who regularly travels to the Capitol to advocate for greater investment in ALS research following his diagnosis with the disease in 2012.

Session days are already a pressure cooker and knowing that individuals with ALS often live only a few years after their diagnosis, I couldn't help but be overcome with emotion when I met Paul. Here was someone facing a devastating disease, yet he chose to spend so much of his limited time fighting not for himself, but for others. What Paul does is citizenship of the highest order. His advocacy is a powerful reminder that one person can make a real difference, and his efforts are genuinely changing the world around him for the better.

I was grateful that Paul joined us during a tour of the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center with ALS United Mid-Atlantic to see firsthand some of the advancements made possible through these new state research investments. New technologies are making personalized medicine a real possibility, and researchers are making meaningful strides that would have been unimaginable just a few years ago.

We have strong momentum on this issue in the legislature, thanks in part to several members who have family members affected by neurodegenerative disease. We owe it to all those impacted to continue building on that progress in this budget and in future budgets.

House Tourism Committee's 3-day tour of Bucks

My fellow Bucks County members of the PA House Tourism, Recreation, and Economic Development Committee and I, along with Visit Bucks County, were excited to host a three-day tour of Bucks County to highlight some of our most treasured attractions. We shared just a small sample of the places that make our community such a unique and special destination with our colleagues.

We took in the history and artistry at Fonthill Castle, Mercer Museum, and the Michener Art Museum, and saw the fun activities and opportunities for families offered at Washington Crossing Historic Park and Sesame Place. We took a shopping stroll in Peddler's Village, learned about the storied past of the New Hope Railroad, and learned something new at both the Vampa Museum (local folklore!) and Ashlynn Distillery (how to prepare the mash for making spirits!).

We were proud to welcome our colleagues and highlight the attractions and hospitality that make Bucks County a favorite for so many. We truly have something for everyone, and I’m grateful to those who helped make these visits a success.

Reminder about boating safety

With summer just a little more than a week away and plenty of hot days in the forecast, I want to re-share the PSA I did back in May for National Safe Boating Week.

Let’s make the folks at the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission proud by always wearing a life jacket, never boating while intoxicated, and having a float plan to let someone know where and when you'll be boating!

You should also check the weather forecast before and during each boating trip and consider enrolling yourself and your family in a basic safe boating education course. Info on available courses, registration for a boating and/or fishing license, and much more is available on the commission's website: www.FishandBoat.com!

Supporting the arts at Michener

I was pleased to join Sen. Steve Santarsiero last month in presenting the Michener Art Museum with a $409,000 state grant for artwork monitoring improvements, helping ensure this local cultural treasure can continue preserving and showcasing world-class art for years to come.

The Michener is an incredible destination, and visitors now have even more reason to stop by with the debut of Permanence: We Were Here, a powerful new commission by Roberto Lugo.

As we approach America’s 250th anniversary, the installation reflects on the site’s history—from its origins as the Bucks County Jail to its transformation into a place of art, learning, and community.

State support has helped make investments like these possible, and I'm proud to support the arts and cultural institutions that enrich life throughout Doylestown and Bucks County.

Thank you to Roberto Lugo, Michener Executive Director Anne Corso, Curator Laura Igoe, and the entire Michener team for bringing this meaningful project to life.

Celebrating the new trail in Chalfont

Our local trail system keeps growing! I was glad to join local officials and community partners in Chalfont Borough to celebrate the ribbon cutting for the newest segment of the Neshaminy Greenway Trail, part of the expanding trail network connecting communities across our region.

This project was made possible in part through a $225,000 Greenways, Trails and Recreation grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development, helping link this segment to other trail investments we’ve supported across Bucks County, including in New Britain Township and Doylestown Township.

Across our region, The Circuit Trails network continues to take shape—connecting places like the Neshaminy Creek Greenway, the D&L Trail, the 202 Parkway Trail, and more.

So many people helped make this project possible, including Marilyn Jacobson, former Chalfont Borough Councilor, in whose honor this trail section is named; Borough Manager Shawn Curran; Mayor Sarbani Hazra; the Chalfont Borough Council; Public Works staff; and many dedicated local partners committed to connecting our communities.

A Woman's Place marks its 50th year

Old Timers Night with Doylestown Fire Company

It was an honor to join Doylestown Fire Company for its annual Old Timers Night and help recognize some remarkable milestones in volunteer service.

• William "Bill" Funk — 60 years of service
• John Croman — 50 years of service
• Oliver Groman — 50 years of service
• Gian Luiso — 50 years of service

Thank you for your decades of dedication to protecting our community and carrying forward the proud tradition of volunteer firefighting in Bucks County!

Our recent events benefitting the community

Property Tax Rebate Clinic at Grundy Hall

My office’s Constituent Service Advisor, Rachel Lamb, recently joined a staffer from Sen. Santarsiero’s office to hold our second Central Bucks School District Property Tax Rebate Clinic at Grundy Hall, a senior housing facility.

Thank you, Central Bucks School District for putting money back into the pockets of our seniors that live on a fixed income. With the rising cost of living making it difficult for vulnerable populations to make ends meet, every penny counts!

In order to qualify for the Central Bucks School District Property Tax Rebate, you must have already received a rebate from Pennsylvania's 2025 Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program.

Pennsylvania’s Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program supports homeowners and renters across our Commonwealth by providing rebates ranging from $380 to $1,000 to eligible older adults age 65 and over, as well as people with disabilities age 18 and older, whose income does not exceed $48,110 (though only 50% of Social Security income is counted).

The Central Bucks School District rebate program closes on June 30. If you have any questions or need assistance with claiming any of these rebates, please don’t hesitate to contact my district office at 267-884-0395.

Scam Jam at Central Bucks Senior Activity Center

We also recently co-hosted a Scam Jam with Sen. Santarsiero’s office at the Central Bucks Senior Activity Center. Scams are at an all-time high, and digital tools have made them increasingly sophisticated, more convincing (to people of all ages), and more widespread.

From deceptive job postings to malicious links, fake accounts, and phishing emails, scams can feel unavoidable and can easily put people at risk of significant financial loss. This important educational event helped members of our older adult community learn how to identify, avoid, and report common frauds and scams.

Special thanks to Katrina Boyer from PA Banking and Securities, Deputy DA Elizabeth Oquendo from the Bucks County District Attorney's Office, Detective Bill Mokoriski from the Doylestown Township Police Department, and Deputy Director Cynthia Townsend from the Bucks County Area Agency on Aging for taking the time out of your busy schedules to spread awareness to our community members.

Mobile Mammogram Van

In early May, my office hosted the Penn Medicine Mobile Mammogram van at the Doylestown Community Recreation Center to provide these critical health screenings for women aged 40 and over.

No appointment is needed for the Mobile Mammogram van, and health insurance is not required to participate. If an abnormal result is found on a mammogram or any other screening test, the Penn Medicine team will help connect individuals to appropriate resources and follow-up care.

You can request the van come to your own organization’s event and view the schedule here.

Another wonderful New Hope Pride Day

Earlier this month on a sunny Saturday afternoon, my staff and I helped New Hope Celebrates with a stroll across the Delaware River on the New Hope-Lambertville Bridge to kick off Pride Month.

Since 2003, New Hope has hosted one of the first Pride celebrations of the season in May. This Pride festival brings two beautiful, picturesque small towns together and draws more than 15,000 people annually to celebrate diversity, progress, love, and inclusion in our communities.

What a great turnout of more than 1,000 participants!

Throughout Pride Month, I’m eager to celebrate the right of every person to live and love openly as their authentic self. The progress we’ve made toward LGBTQ+ equality was achieved through the courage of generations of activists who stood up against discrimination to build a more just society; it’s important to honor their legacy.

While some in Washington are working to roll back protections and target LGBTQ+ Americans, we are fighting back every step of the way. History shows us that while progress may face challenges from those who seek to divide us, it cannot be erased. Thinking back to our first Pride flag raising in Doylestown, we’ve made progress even since then.

You can count on me to continue advocating for legislation that will further cement Pennsylvania as a place where everyone belongs. Happy Pride Month!

Talking environmental science with Unami’s 8th graders

Last month, Dr. Pam Sime-Cummins, the 8th-grade science teacher at Unami Middle School in Chalfont, invited me to engage with her students as they presented their environmental science projects.

After their presentations, these concerned students—who are clearly thoughtful about the future of our planet—asked thought-provoking environmental questions and shared their innovative science experiments.

I let the students know that I share their concerns and that I am currently advocating for safe drinking water and farmland and open space preservation, while also addressing the environmental and utility strain caused by AI data centers through legislation I have introduced.

I hope that Dr. Pam Sime-Cummins offers me another invitation so that I can continue to engage with our young leaders, who will someday be responsible for caring for our planet. After hearing how passionate these students are about improving the environment, I am confident we will be in good hands.

Observing Memorial Day

I had the honor of walking in the Doylestown Memorial Day Parade in remembrance of our fallen heroes—the service men and women who fought for their country and sacrificed their lives for you and me.

Despite the rainy forecast, there was an amazing turnout from residents. This community support reflects the deep respect and gratitude they have for those who dedicated their lives to protecting our country.

Grassroots Picnic Project

This weekly community picnic run by the Free Library of New Hope & Solebury begins on Tuesday, June 16 and will occur on Summer Reading program days on Tuesday evenings, from 5-7 p.m., through August 18th! Picnics will be held on the NHS-SD practice field on Bridge Street, near the District Offices.

Our office will be there Tuesday June 30 at Know Your Reps night – stop by and say hi!

This summer, pack a picnic, grab your friends, and gather with the library!

They’ll have music, snacks, crafts, and a chance to talk about how to shape our community’s future. With different featured guests each week, you’ll hear from neighbors, organizers, elected officials and more about what they’re doing in our own backyard. And, importantly, they will hear from YOU! Part picnic, part workshop, all fun! Bring your ideas, your friends, and your enthusiasm – the aim is to build up our community toolkit to make real change at home.

PLUS: Lolly Hopwood's super popular Musical Evening Storytime will take place during the picnic at 5:30! This interactive story time is filled with imagination and movement that gets the families up and using their bodies and their minds. With props like parachutes, pom poms, scarves, bubbles, and puppets, these programs are a memorable time for the whole family. Please note that Lolly will not be at the Grassroots Picnic Project on 7/14 or 8/4.

Registration is not required for this program.

Get ready for another exciting summer of live music, kicking off on June 17! The 2026 Thompson Performing Arts Series will once again bring a diverse lineup of tribute acts, party bands, and crowd favorites to the stage. Concerts are held Wednesday evenings at 7:00 PM and are designed to be fun, family-friendly, and accessible for the entire community. Click here for the schedule!

Buckingham Twp. Summer Concert Series

The Buckingham Township Summer Concert Series kicks off on Thursday, June 18, 2026, featuring GruvTyme at 7:00 PM.

Tri-Municipal Fourth of July Parade

The annual tri-municipal Fourth of July Parade will be held on July 4, 2026, at 9:30 AM.  The parade begins at the Town Center (little Giant) in New Britain Borough on Butler Avenue and concludes at North Branch Park

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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