Good Morning Neighbors!

We are working to make Philly schools exceptional! 📚🚀 In this second week of budget hearings, our House Appropriations Committee is reviewing Gov. Shapiro’s proposals to invest in our future by improving our schools, in addition to creating good-paying careers where workers are safe!

Ensuring Fair Elections 🗳️

Despite zero evidence of widespread voter fraud, some prominent elected officials have made false claims that have eroded some public trust in Pennsylvania’s elections.

This week during the House Appropriations Committee meeting, I spoke with our Secretary of State, Roxborough’s own Al Schmidt. He helped clear up some misinformation around our elections, and he discussed what PA does to ensure our elections are safe, secure, free, and fair. Secretary Schmidt, an early bipartisan appointment by Governor Shapiro, gave reassuring answers, and his Dept. of State website also lists some frequently asked questions about election security.

Image: Photo of me speaking during an Appropriations Committee hearing

See Secretary Al Schmidt’s answer about protecting PA’s elections by clicking the photo above

Investing in our Kids 🧑‍🎓👩🏽‍🎓

In my first term, we invested an additional $300 million in Philadelphia public school students. Our work to fund Philly schools from the state level also meant that Philadelphia did not have to raise property taxes to make up the difference.

Despite our progress, Philly schools still have a $1.25 Billion funding deficit to reach educational adequacy — and we are court-mandated to deliver for them. Governor Shapiro’s budget will provide many millions more to our schools— and I am fighting to ensure we get as much as we can to “level-up” our Philly schools like, but not limited to, Mifflin, Shawmont, Jenks, Dobson & Cook/Wiss & Roxborough High.

But while we make these investments, we also must ensure hardworking taxpayers are not taken advantage of by wasteful spending—like we are seeing in cyber charter schools. An audit last week by our Auditor General Tim DeFoor exposed concerning practices by cyber charter schools, including tens of millions in employee bonuses—and how just five of these organizations increased their revenues by nearly half a billion dollars of our taxpayer money, in just four years.

Image: Photo of me speaking during an Appropriations Committee hearing

Click on the image above to see PA Acting Secretary Rowe and I talk about our plan to invest in our kids’ future.

I spoke to our Acting Education Secretary Carrie Rowe this week about the impact of the historic funds we invested last session on our schools. We discussed the need for proposals like Governor Shapiro’s $8,000 per student cap on cyber charter schools.

Investing in Us, not Billionaires

Our PA State House Democrats sent a letter to Pennsylvania Congresspeople in DC urging a “no” vote on the deeply concerning proposed federal budget.

The federal budget, which of course is different from the state budget that I am working on in Harrisburg right now, was proposed by House Republicans in leadership in Washington and who control the US House agenda. Their budget will explode the deficit to pay for tax cuts for the rich.

That means we’ll all pay more. The rich become richer, the poor get poorer, and hard working Philadelphians get less for our tax dollars.

Regrettably all PA Republican Congresspeople voted “yes.” This is just a first step in the process. A summary of that budget is here.

You can call your elected federal official and let them know your take:

Congressman Dwight Evans (215) 276-0340

Senator Dave McCormick (215) 405-9660

Senator John Fetterman (215) 241-1090

Funding Freeze Thawed

Image: Governor Shapiro and me in a photo during a bill signing event

Thanks to the efforts of Governor Josh Shapiro and Pennsylvania House Democrats, more than $2.1 billion in federal funding – illegally frozen by the administration in Washington - has been released to state agencies to serve the people of Pennsylvania.

These federal dollars fund essential programs and infrastructure projects at the state and local level - many of which were jeopardized by the White House’s out-of-control actions.

Along with the governor, my colleagues and I will continue to fight to protect the programs, policies and economic resources that Pennsylvanians deserve and rely on.

Scholarship available!

The Legislative Black Caucus Foundation is offering $1,500 scholarships for graduating high school seniors or current college undergrad students of color who are PA residents. Students are encouraged to use the scholarship award for tuition, fees, books, or school-related supplies and equipment.

This prestigious scholarship was named after Mr. James R. Roebuck- former member of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus (PLBC) and education champion. Mr. Roebuck (a former fellow Central High grad) served in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from 1985-2020 and served as chair of both the House Education Committee and the PLBC. Regrettably former Rep. Roebuck passed away last spring.

The deadline is April 5, 2025, at 5 p.m.

Click here to apply!

Win skating tickets!

Congratulations to the winner of the NFC Championship hat — Wendella Fox of East Falls! If you’re interested in going ice skating, email us at reptarik@pahouse.net by Wednesday at noon and let us know to enter you into a random drawing for a family four pack to the Wissahickon Skating Club (WSC)!

Image: Me ice skating wearing my Eagles cap

Please send your email by Tuesday, March 4th @ 5pm and include your name & phone to have a chance to win! Winners will be announced in a future newsletter!

WSC is a community nonprofit located on the grounds of Springside Chestnut Hill Academy at 550 W. Willow Grove Ave., 19118.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Shredder Day, Adopt a Pet at Mutt Madness, & Library Hours

Spring is around the corner, and we’ve got some solid community events lined up! Mark your calendars and stay tuned for more details.

🐶 Mutt Madness Pet Adoption Event

Saturday, March 29 from 11 - 2 pm at Roxborough Pocket Park

Looking to welcome a new furry friend into your home? Roxborough Development Corporation and ACCT are hosting our Mutt Madness event where local rescues will bring lovable & adoptable pets seeking their forever homes.

Image: Me with my senior cat rescue, the late Theodore

🗑️ Shredder Day at the YMCA 📄

Saturday, May 17 from 9 am - 12 pm (Roxborough YMCA)

Want to stop identity theft?

Shred your sensitive stuff?

There’s a place you can go!

At the Y-M-C-A:

Shredder Day

May 17th

9am-12pm

Roxborough YMCA

7201 Ridge Ave.

Extra credit for costumes ;) 👷‍♂️👩‍🏭

Image: Photo of Rep. Roni Green & me in front of Shred-it.

📚 Library Office Hours

Monday, March 10 from 4-7 PM at Falls of Schuylkill Library

Need help with state services? Whether it’s PennDOT paperwork, rent rebates, or any other issue, our team will be on hand to assist you—no appointment needed!

My staff will be there (and schedule permitting I should be too) to help you get the support you need right in our neighborhood!

Image: Chief of Staff David with Chestnut Hill Staff at library office hours event at the Chestnut Hill Library

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