WEST CHESTER, Oct. 19 -- State Rep. Dianne Herrin, D-Chester, is reminding greater West Chester area residents that the annual Medicare Open Enrollment period will run through Dec. 7. “This is your opportunity to ensure your current coverage meets your needs and to make any changes for plans starting in the new year,” Herrin said. To help navigate the open enrollment process, Chester County’s Aging Services will provide free counseling through the PA MEDI program. This program helps match residents with counselors trained to provide objective, easy-to-understand information about Medicare, Medicare Supplemental Insurance, Medicaid, Long-Term Care Insurance, and prescription drug plans. “We are so fortunate in Chester County to have programs and resources to provide our residents with unbiased, objective information during the open enrollment process,” Herrin said. “I recommend anyone seeking assistance call now to schedule an appointment with a PA MEDI counselor.” Residents interested in scheduling an appointment should leave a voicemail with Chester County Aging Services by calling (610) 344-5004. Within 24 hours, a PA MEDI counselor will call the resident back. For more information, visit PA MEDI in Chester County’s website: chesco.org/477/PA-Medicare-Education . Read more
I want to update you on some important news and events from around the Greater West Chester Area. Read more
On Tuesday, Attorney General Josh Shapiro announced 48 charges against Energy Transfer for environmental crimes related to the Mariner East pipeline project. Read more
Leaders in southeastern Pennsylvania are calling for the Mariner East pipeline to cease activities after charges were filed Tuesday. Read more
WEST CHESTER, Oct. 5 -- State Rep. Dianne Herrin, D-Chester, applauded the charges that Attorney General Josh Shapiro announced today against Energy Transfer L.P., developer of the Mariner East pipeline project. The pipeline operator is charged with performing horizontal drilling to cross streams, wetlands and roads without permits in at least 23 locations across the commonwealth, not reporting hundreds upon hundreds of chemical-laden drilling fluid leaks and losses to DEP and nearby well owners, not reporting complaints of private drinking well contamination across the state, using unapproved chemicals in the drilling fluid, and illegally discharging industrial waste into Pennsylvania’s waters. “This company’s reckless behavior and willful ignorance of the laws of our commonwealth are a direct violation of our constitutional right to clean air and water,” Herrin said. “I applaud the attorney general for holding this bad actor accountable and pushing back against this company that has severely damaged the health, safety and well-being of our communities, our environment and Pennsylvanians across the state.” The announcement comes following a grand jury investigation which recommended that Energy Transfer be charged with 22 counts of prohibition of discharge of industrial waste under the Clean Streams Law; 22 counts of prohibition against other pollutions under the Clean Streams Law; two Read more
WEST CHESTER, Oct. 4 -- State Rep. Dianne Herrin, D-Chester, announced her “Hikes with Herrin” event series so residents can discuss some of the pressing issues facing our commonwealth with her while enjoying the best public open spaces our community has to offer. The first event on Sunday, Oct. 10 will focus on the effort to preserve open space here at home and across Pennsylvania. Each hike is scheduled to run for an hour and will start at the Birmingham Hill Trailhead, 1272 Birmingham Road, West Chester, PA 19382, with one group leaving at 1 p.m. and another at 2 p.m. “I am looking forward to this unique event, and to the opportunity to talk one-on-one with those I serve while exercising and enjoying some fresh air together,” Herrin said. Those interested in attending should RSVP by contacting Herrin’s office by email at RepHerrin@pahouse.net or calling 610-696-4990. More information is available by contacting Herrin’s office at 610-696-4990. Read more
HR 139 (Rep Shelby Labs - R) This resolution extends the Governor’s proclamation declaring a disaster emergency in response to Hurricane Ida. This is necessary because the recent ballot measures proposed by Republicans (and passed narrowly by the electorate) drastically limited the Governor’s powers to declare and sustain any/all disaster emergencies. Now, my colleagues who created these ballot measures have found themselves in a precarious position: They can’t ensure their constituents who have lost homes and businesses to flooding will receive disaster relief unless this state of emergency is continued. They knew this all along, and now on the last day of the Governor’s Hurricane Ida emergency, legislators have to waste taxpayer money driving to and from Harrisburg, and staying in hotels, and eating meals at the taxpayer’s expense, so we can convene in a last-minute session to continue the state of emergency. I voted YES because it’s the right thing to do. I just wish my colleagues would stop the kind of political gamesmanship that causes such a waste of taxpayer money and legislators’ time and energy. HB 184 (Rep Dawn Keefer – R) This bill creates a mandatory minimum sentence for those convicted of causing or aiding suicide when the individual dies by suicide, is under 18 years old, and has an intellectual disability or autism spectrum disorder. I voted NO because this is part of an ongoing Read more
Last week, the Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC) adopted the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) in Pennsylvania. Read more
I am proud to announce a new bill I am sponsoring with Representative Tracy Pennycuick (R-MontCo) that would hold government contractors accountable for past failures. Read more
Rep. Herrin's summer newsletter including information on how her district office can serve you, early childhood education and office events, Read more
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends a third mRNA COVID-19 vaccine dose for moderately and severely immunocompromised individuals. Read more
WEST CHESTER, Aug. 18 -- Strengthening Pennsylvania’s childcare system and supporting children and families was the focus at state Rep. Dianne Herrin’s House Democratic Policy Committee hearing. Herrin’s hearing took a comprehensive look at the vital role quality child care plays in children’s development and Pennsylvania’s economy. “Well-funded early childhood education and high-quality child care set a foundation for the future success of our children,” Herrin said. “This is not just a women’s issue or a family issue, but an issue that impacts all of our communities, our economy, and our long-term success as a society and nation. I believe shining a light on the significant staffing shortage our providers face, insufficient government funding, and need for high-quality care will bring about bipartisan policy solutions that will ensure healthy growth and development of our children. This will benefit all of us.” Betsy Billie, executive director of the West Chester Area Day Care Center, focused on the difficulty of retaining staff and challenges faced through the COVID-19 pandemic. Jonathan Ragonese shared a parent perspective, including the difficulty of balancing costs with work and family expenses. The real cost of quality child care is akin to tuition at a state-funded university. Carol Austin, executive director of First Up and Kimberly Early, director of public policy and advocacy with Read more
WEST CHESTER, Aug. 13 – Childcare and families’ access to quality, educational care are the focus of state Rep. Dianne Herrin’s House Democratic Policy Committee hearing. The hearing will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 17 at the West Goshen Township Building, 1025 Paoli Pike, West Chester. The public and media are encouraged to attend. Masks are required for all attendees . Herrin, D-Chester, will be joined by Vice Chair Joe Ciresi and members of the House Democratic Policy Committee to learn more about childcare facilities, the challenges they face and how addressing staffing, program quality and funding can impact the state long-term. “High-quality early childhood education sets up a strong foundation for the success of our children,” Herrin said. “This policy hearing will address the systemic issues facing our early education system, including a lack of affordability for families, too few high-quality programs, and staffing shortages due to low wages for the educators.” Media inquiries may be submitted to policy@pahouse.net . ### ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS: The hearing will be streamed live at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkrhNCoiAF_G-SenampnZFQ Read more
House Policy Committee hearing on childcare and early childhood education. Read more
WEST CHESTER, Aug. 9 -- State Rep. Dianne Herrin announced $60,000 in state grant funding for Good Fellowship Ambulance to assist with purchasing new emergency care equipment. “The first responders and emergency services personnel at Good Fellowship Ambulance proudly serve the Greater West Chester Area in times of need, and they always rise to the occasion, despite a reimbursement environment that continues to challenge their operations,” Herrin said. “This grant funding will bring up-to-date, lifesaving equipment to GFA so these caring, skilled first responders have the support they need to continue providing high-level care when we need them the most.” GFA used the funding to offset the costs of a new emergency service responder vehicle and a cardiac monitor for assessing heart activity and treating patients. Herrin said that she will continue to prioritize the community’s first responders through legislative action and funding support. A photo of Herrin with GFA may be downloaded here. For more information, contact Rep. Herrin’s office at (610) 696-4990. Read more
Before the House went into its summer recess, we voted on some important pieces of legislation that will have a direct impact on the people of the Greater West Chester Area. Read more
Despite the uphill battles, I am eager to work on meaningful legislation that will directly benefit the Greater West Chester Area and our commonwealth as a whole. Read more
Opinion in the Daily Local Read more
Check here for periodic updates on how I vote important bills in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Read more
Update: 6/17 NO: HB 1184: Financial Support for Mayors Status: Passed 110-91 As the prior Mayor of West Chester, I would have voted an enthusiastic “yes” on this bill, which requires municipalities to pay up to $100/year for mayors to join a professional association and reimburse for educational/training functions. However, the bill was amended to include permission for sections of municipalities with 500+ residents to secede from their own local government. With 2,560 local governments, PA already ranks third in the nation in terms of number of municipalities. If anything, we need to promote sharing of resources and collaborative regional planning so we can solve problems that go beyond our municipal borders, such as flooding. More division will only lead to inefficiencies, duplication of services, and a greater taxpayer burden. NO: HB 406: Reinstatement of Work Search and Career Link Requirements for Those Receiving Unemployment Compensation Status: Passed 130-71 This bill proposed to reinstate Work Search and Career Link requirements for those receiving unemployment compensation (UC) on the same day the state switched over to a new UC system. An amendment to delay this start date to July so the new system could be set up to accommodate the requirements was denied by the majority Republicans. Since December, my office has served many constituents who need their Read more
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