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Dear Neighbor,
Last weekend, I traveled to Chicago for two legislative conferences, the NCEL 2026 National Forum: Actionable Environmental Policy Solutions for Your State, and the NCSL Opioid Fellows Meeting. These conferences relate directly to my work as a member of the House Environmental and Natural Resource Protection Committee and as a trustee on the Pennsylvania Opioid Misuse and Addiction Abatement Trust. They offered a valuable opportunity to attend policy sessions on a wide range of topics and to collaborate with legislators from across the country. Hearing how other states have approached challenges similar to those we face was incredibly helpful, and I returned to Pennsylvania bursting with ideas.
At NCEL, we talked all things data centers, emerging tech and new energy, siting and land use, endangered species protection, biodiversity, and public transportation. Then I spent another full day at the NCSL Opioid Fellows Meeting where we discussed substance use disorder support, access to treatment, and settlement funds, listened to lived experience, and I attended a special session on suicide prevention. I am excited to begin the work, and I am already mapping out ways to bring these ideas into the legislative process here in Pennsylvania so we can continue making meaningful progress for our communities.
In the coming weeks, I will share a more detailed account of these conferences and the policy ideas and legislative solutions I brought home with me.
In this week’s newsletter, we continue our Intern Takeover with an interview featuring our interns, Trisha and Grace, who have become incredibly valuable members of our team this summer. |
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Say Hi to our Summer Interns! Trisha: Hi! I’m Trisha. I’m heading into my senior year at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), majoring in political science, with minors in gender and women’s studies, law, and security studies. I’m drawn to politics because I believe that it has the power to shape people’s everyday lives, regardless of who they are, what they believe, or whether they are paying attention to policy at all.
Grace: Hey! I’m Grace. I’m 19, about to be a sophomore at Pitt, and studying Public Policy and Theatre. People are always rather confused about that combination, but I promise you, it makes sense. And no, it’s not because politicians are a bunch of bad actors. It’s because I’m a big believer in the power of words to change the world. Theatre and politics are reflections of our society. They communicate where we are and where we want to go.
Q&A w/ Trisha and Grace Why did you want to get involved in state government and join Rep. Otten’s team? Trisha: Public service, like working in state government, is responding to when systems fail people. I have seen firsthand how quickly people can be diminished for their accent, what country they are from, who they love, or how they struggle. Watching my mother and father navigate a country that did not always welcome them taught me to pay attention to power: who has it and who doesn’t. That shaped how I understand politics, as a mechanism that determines who feels protected and who feels invisible.
It’s also why I was drawn specifically to state and local politics, where the mechanism is closest to the people it affects. The impact at the state level is direct, tangible, and immediate on the community you serve. During this internship, we discussed problems we saw, proposed and navigated solutions, attended community events, and communicated directly with constituents. I could actually see how we were helping people. I admire Rep. Otten and her team because of the way they view legislating: as a tool to better the world around you. I saw how passionate and knowledgeable Danielle was about some pretty complex and dense issues, and how she truly dedicated herself to resolving them. And not just her, but her entire team was just as devoted. Which is why I knew this was the perfect office to work for.
Grace: For the last few years, I’ve been quite involved on the campaign side of things. It was a great place to start, but I really wanted to be a part of making the actual policies, delivering the actual change. I was tired of vague slogans, listing issues you care about without the mechanisms to solve them. I wanted to get into the nitty gritty of policy, and then communicate that clearly to the public. I think that’s what people actually want to hear—how you’re fixing their problems. Rep. Otten is such a role model. Frustrated with the issues she saw around her, she dove right into the chaos of government and got knowledgeable about the things she cares about. I knew she’d be the perfect person to work for, because she’s the kind of person I want to be.
What exciting, important things have you learned this summer? What do you plan to carry with you? Trisha: I’ve learned a lot about how Pennsylvania state government functions as a whole and the impacts it has on our daily lives. One of my biggest interests this summer has been data center regulation. I have gotten the opportunity to see the adverse effects that data centers have on every aspect of life, health, environment, and beyond. Watching Rep. Otten try to tackle this issue brought me a lot of perspective. I realized that when we have issues that large and pressing, there isn’t always just one right solution, but rather multiple ones that target different parts of the problem. That approach to problem solving is something I will carry with me in every situation I face.
Grace: In writing responses to constituent requests to support or refute certain bills, I’ve gotten the opportunity to research a wide spectrum of policy. From the State Board of Barber Examiners to school funding to campaign finance reform, I’ve seen the small and large ends of the kinds of change the government can make. You don’t have to make society-altering change to make a substantial difference in people’s daily lives. But you also don’t have to shy away from the big issues.
What is it like being young and working in politics? Trisha: It can be really intimidating in a lot of ways, like any job or career can be, but it’s also really important. Our government and political structure was created to serve everybody, not just people over or under a certain age. This means I get the opportunity to contribute a different perspective that is equally as important as anyone else’s in this space. Working in Danielle’s office has been a testament to that statement. She and her staff, Sue, Beth, Greg, and Jacob, have all been incredible in providing an abundance of guidance and encouragement to bring our voices into whatever project we may be working on.
Grace: It’s so awesome. I mean, scary, yeah. But like so awesome. This is a bit cliché, but it really is comforting to know I’m “doing something.” As a young person especially, reading the news can deeply scare me about my future. But at least I know I’m a cogwheel, however small, trying to make the machine work better. It’s scary, too, being so new to all this, struggling to find my voice and my confidence. However, Rep. Otten and her staff have been phenomenal mentors. They give us space to try it out and suggest new ideas, but they’re also there to fall back on when we’re unsure and need help. Our office spans a wide range of ages, and I feel so comfortable being young, being unapologetically Gen Z. From inserting silly memes into our TikToks to asking questions about the implications of proposed laws, our youth perspective has truly been valued. And that’s because it is valuable! |
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National Intern Day As we recognized National Intern Day this Thursday, my team and I couldn't be more grateful to Trisha and Grace for all their work this summer and the fresh perspective and new ideas they brought to our office.
Grace and Trisha jumped into the fast pace of a legislative office and made our team stronger. We are grateful for their hard work, their enthusiasm, and the positive energy they brought to our office and our community. We can’t wait to see what their future holds! |
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PUBLIC COMMENT OPPORTUNITIES: PA DEP Public Comment on PFAS The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection is accepting public comments on revised draft permits for biosolids producers to prevent PFOS and PFOA from ending up on farm fields. The proposed new safeguards are designed to prevent PFAS “forever chemicals” from polluting farm fields and groundwater. The changes would require wastewater treatment facilities to monitor PFOS and PFOA in biosolids for the first time and take steps to reduce contamination when levels exceed certain thresholds. PFAS chemicals have been linked to numerous health issues, and these changes are intended to give farmers confidence that the biosolids they use are safe and to protect soil and water resources across Pennsylvania. You can submit a comment through the DEP eComment platform or email: ecomment@pa.gov (Be sure to include your name and address). The permits open for comment are PAG-07 (General Permit for Beneficial Use of Exceptional Quality Biosolids) and PAG-08 (General Permit for Beneficial Use of Biosolids).
For more information, see the public comment announcement on the DEP website.
Uwchlan Township Public Comment Deadline Extended for Lionville Station Road The Uwchlan Township Board of Supervisors will continue its hearing on Lionville Station Road on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. at the Township Building. The deadline for written public comment has again been extended to 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 8, 2026. Comments should be submitted to: LSR@uwchlan.com. For more information, please visit the township’s Lionville Station Road landing page. |
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Back-to-School Supplies Drive The start of the school year is approaching fast, and that means it’s almost time to start preparing for the first day of classes by getting new school supplies for the students in our lives. For some families this means a quick trip to Target or Staples for a new backpack and some folders, but for those already struggling to make ends meet, the start of the new school year can create additional burdens.
To help families in Chester County start the new school year on the right track, my office is hosting a Back-to-School Supplies Drive.
We will be collecting donations at our district office, 631 N. Pottstown Pike in Exton, through Friday, August 14. Supplies can be dropped off Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 4:30 PM. |
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Please contact my district office at repotten@pahouse.net if you have questions or would like to share your thoughts on any legislative or state-related issue. |
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Property Tax/Rent Rebate Application Period Extended
The 2026 Property Tax/Rent Rebate Application Period has been extended through December 31, 2026. The Department of Revenue began sending rebates on July 1, so submit your application now to get your rebate as soon as possible!
The Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program benefits eligible Pennsylvanians ages 65 and older, widows and widowers ages 50 and older, and people with disabilities age 18 and older.
Please call or stop by my office to find out if you’re eligible and get assistance applying for your rebate. We’d be glad to answer any questions and set up an appointment to help you complete your application online!
For those who prefer to file by mail, paper applications are available in my office. |
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SEPTA Senior Key Cards and Card Renewals
If you have a SEPTA Senior Key Card that has expired or will expire within the next month, we can renew it in our district office. To renew your card before it expires, please stop by my district office, or call us to make an appointment.
My office can also process applications and take photos for new SEPTA Senior Key ID Cards, which allow seniors 65 and older to travel for free on all SEPTA Regional Rail and transit routes within Pennsylvania. Just stop by my district office and bring a form of ID with your date of birth on it, such as a PA driver’s license or non-driver ID, U.S. passport, or birth certificate. We’ll enter your information into SEPTA’s online system, take a quick photo, and then SEPTA will mail your new card to you directly. |
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2-1-1 Southeastern Pennsylvania: Health and Human Services
211 SEPA is part of the national 211 Call Centers initiative that seeks to provide health and human services for everyday needs and those in crisis situations.
2-1-1 works with county governments and provider agencies to ensure important local program information is easily accessible.
Visit 211sepa.org for more information. |
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Mental Health Resources: Call 9-8-8
Chester County residents experiencing mental-health-related crisis or distress can dial 9-8-8 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This system is designed to be a memorable and quick number that connects people in crisis to a trained mental health professional.
Chester County offers additional resources for those in crisis, including Chester County’s warm line, 1-866-846-2722, operated by Certified Peer Specialists, who are individuals in recovery with a lived experience of mental health challenges.
Chester County’s Teen Talk Line ensures seamless referral to Mobile Crisis for youth in need of immediate or higher-level support. The call line is 855-852-TEEN (8336), and the text line is 484-362-9515.
Visit the Department of Human Services website for more information about the 988 system and other state and local mental health resources.
If you or someone you love is in crisis, please don’t give up hope, and please know that you do not need to walk this path alone. We are here and we will do whatever we can to help. |
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My staff and I are here to help make state government work better for you! For assistance with the above programs or any other state-related services, please email repotten@pahouse.net, call 484-200-8259, contact us through my website, or visit my district office in Exton and let us know how we can help! |
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District Office 631 North Pottstown Pike |
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Pennsylvania State Capitol 34 East Wing PO Box 202155 (717) 783-5009 |
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