PA Representative Christopher Pielli banner image

Hi Folks,

We hope this August edition of District Deliberations finds you all doing well. Baseball great Babe Ruth once said, “Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game.” As the dog days of summer bear down and we near the end of the session, it is important to remember that we must keep in the game, working toward solving the serious challenges our Commonwealth faces. And if there were things left undone in this last budget, we have to adapt and keep fighting for success as we near the end of our legislative “season,” just like any good team would do.

For example, after my colleagues and I in the PA House of Representatives passed significant data center legislation protecting our Commonwealth, it was extremely frustrating to see it continue to lie dormant in the GOP-led Senate. But like any good team, you adapt and make the necessary changes to succeed. That is why I am grateful for Governor Shapiro’s Executive Order, which basically enacts much of this important legislation to protect us from the clear and present dangers facing our communities. This is a huge step in the right direction, and although there remains much work to be done, we are on the right track to contain and regulate the serious threats from an industry that we must rein in.

In the same spirit that the Babe was quoted above, I want to assure every Pennsylvanian that their right to cast a ballot in a free and fair election is our utmost priority. Despite the fears, chaos, and confusion that the administration in Washington continues to sow, we in the PA House continue our pledge to support, obey, and defend the Constitution of the United States and this Commonwealth by protecting your right to vote. As such, my colleagues and I have introduced legislation to protect voters from intimidation at polling places and hope for bipartisan support to help uphold a sacred tenet of our democracy – free and fair elections. (More information below.)

This issue of District Deliberations features my latest legislative highlights, including the introduction of my House Bill 2674 – Restricting Data Centers from Obtaining Public Utility Status. Speaking of baseball, this month’s Hometown Heroes are our fantastic West Side and East Side Little League teams, who have given us the exciting gift of watching a historic and thrilling baseball season, with both teams advancing to their respective World Series! We also feature a fond farewell to our stellar summer intern, Jenaea Davenport; more information on Gov. Shapiro’s historic Data Center Executive Order; 2026–2027 Budget highlights; millions of dollars in grants we obtained for our District; our successful AI & Child Safety Policy Roundtable; and, last but not least, up-to-date information on the 2026 General Election.

Finally, of course, we have the wise whelps of wisdom from our official mascot, Penny the Pup.

Folks, as always, we thank you for the opportunity to serve you and look forward to any questions or concerns you may have. Until our next issue, Stay Well, Stay Safe, and Stay Strong.

PA Representative Christopher Pielli's signature image

Chris Pielli
Pennsylvania State Representative House District 156

Hometown Heroes

This August, our Hometown Heroes are the baseball players and coaches of our West Side Little League Intermediate Division team and East Side Little League Major Division team – both of which advanced to their respective Little League World Series, with East Side going to Williamsport and West Side going to California!

West Side and East Side Little League teams’ advancement to the Little League World Series represented outstanding achievements – the culmination of countless hours of practice, preparation, dedication, and sacrifice by players, coaches, and families.

These remarkable young people displayed leadership and sportsmanship throughout their championship runs, demonstrating that success is achieved not only through individual talent, but through a shared commitment to working together toward a common goal.

I’ll be proud to recognize these extraordinary accomplishments by offering citations to the teams and certificates to all players and coaches on behalf of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

I Support Governor Shapiro’s Executive Order Regulating Data Centers

On August 18, Governor Shapiro signed Executive Order 2026-05, requiring data centers in Pennsylvania to comply with strict guardrails.

I support this Executive Order because it puts strong, commonsense requirements in place that will hold data center developers accountable and protect our communities, utility costs, and environment. Recently, I introduced House Bill 2674, which would prohibit data centers from obtaining public utility status. The regulations in HB 2674 and Executive Order 2026-05 protect the interests of Pennsylvanians from the potential impacts of data centers.

This executive action is necessary given the PA Senate Republicans’ inability to advance legislation to rein in this growing industry. It also builds on the work that PA House Democrats have already advanced through the passage of multiple bipartisan bills to give communities more control, prevent electricity rate hikes, protect clean water, and much more.

While these measures to hold Big Tech accountable sit languishing in the PA Senate, Governor Shapiro is taking strong, meaningful, and comprehensive action. I commend him for his leadership and for putting Pennsylvanians first. There is more work to be done, but this is a huge step in the right direction.

House Bill 2674 – Restricting Data Centers from Obtaining Public Utility Status

Data centers have driven up Pennsylvania’s energy costs by more than 70% since 2020. This problem will only worsen without proper regulation, with an estimated 130 active data centers located in Pennsylvania, plus another 55 data centers currently proposed, planned, or under construction.

Data centers may seek certification to become public utilities. By obtaining public utility status, data center developers could preempt local zoning ordinances and potentially exercise eminent domain. They could also operate as regulated monopolies and acquire development rights, rights-of-way, and property for building, maintaining, or expanding infrastructure for data center projects that primarily benefit private, for-profit corporations.

To protect our communities from the potential impacts of data centers, I have introduced House Bill 2674, which would prohibit data centers from obtaining public utility status. We need to place guardrails on this issue and ensure that Pennsylvanians have a say in where these data centers are developed.

Protecting Voters from Intimidation at Polling Places – Co-Sponsored Legislation

Pennsylvania voters deserve to cast their ballots free from interference and intimidation. Accordingly, Pennsylvania law has long protected voters from interference and intimidation by generally prohibiting law enforcement officers from being within 100 feet of a polling place on Election Day, subject to limited exceptions.

Because we are receiving continual threats from the administration in Washington, State Representative Malcolm Kenyatta, Rep. Hanbidge, Rep. Friel, Rep. Warren, and I have sponsored a bill that clearly reaffirms that the existing law protecting voters from interference and intimidation applies to ALL federal, state, and local law enforcement officers and agents.

Our pledge to you is that we shall do everything within our power to protect the rights and liberties of all Pennsylvanians to cast their ballots without fear or intimidation.

Farewell and Thank You to Our District Office Intern, Jenaea Davenport!

I'd like to extend my thanks and best wishes to our summer intern, Jenaea Davenport!

Jenaea quickly became an extremely hard-working and enthusiastic member of our staff, bringing an eager attitude to the work she did during her time at our district office in July and August. Of particular note, she conducted policy research and analysis on topics that were both of interest to her and valuable to our background knowledge, including a policy brief on recently passed federal housing affordability legislation, which we shared with our community partners and local governments.

Jenaea is a graduate of West Chester Henderson High School and is now entering her senior year at Morgan State University, where she is majoring in political science. We hope her internship experience adds to the bright future that lies ahead for her!

Are you ready to vote this November?

It's never too early to prepare to vote in this November's General election. Here are some important dates to know:

Oct. 19: Last day to register to vote / vote.pa.gov/register
Oct. 27: Last day to request a mail-in or absentee ballot / vote.pa.gov/ApplyMailBallot
Nov. 3: General Election Day / Polls are open on election day from 7 a.m. – 8 p.m.

For more info and to register online, visit vote.pa.gov or contact my district office to obtain a voter registration paper application, available in English and Spanish.

'AI + Child Safety' Policy Roundtable

Protecting our most precious resource, our children, from the dangers of AI is one of our highest priorities. That’s why we engaged in an in-depth policy roundtable with the West Chester Area School District at East Sr. High School earlier this month. For more details click here: app.indigov.com/pub/outreach/4f89dfe9-cfc4-4fa4-86f6-6d4bc4000947.

My summer newsletter is on the way!

Our summer newsletter is on the way, featuring detailed information on budget wins, over $15 million in District grants, and more! For a preview click here: pahouse.com/files/Documents/Newsletter/2026-08-19_094910__156 Summer NL 0826 FINAL.pdf.

Q: How can organizations – such as schools, nonprofits, and local governments – apply for state grants and seek help from your district office?

A: Before you apply for a PA State Grant:

To apply for PA state grants, you need to create a Keystone Login account.
Utilize PA Grants Search Tool.
Find out whether you meet the eligibility requirements and how much money you can expect to receive.
Ensure you can make the deadline.
Align your application and funding rationale with the grant program mission.

How Our District Office Can Help:

Search for grant programs.
Obtain a contact person from granting state agency to answer questions you may have.
Provide letter of support from Rep. Pielli to accompany your grant application.

Email Chief of Staff, Julie K. Mesaros, to request a letter of support: JMesaros@pahouse.net