Dear Neighbor,

From back-to-school preparations to getting ready for the bike race, it’s been a busy week!

I’m focused on lowering costs, making government work better, and making our community safer, cleaner, and more beautiful.

More below on how we can honor Dolly Parton’s legacy in Pennsylvania, what to know about this weekend’s bike race, and important updates on measles, our airport, public safety, and more!

More below.

Take good care,

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In This Issue:

🚴 Getting Ready for the Bike Race!
🗑️ New Big Bellies in East Falls
🎸 Honoring Dolly
🔒 Keeping Our Community Safe
✈️ A Better Philly Airport Experience
⚖️ Geriatric Parole and 2nd Chances
🏛️ Stalled in the PA Senate
✊ Standing With Teamsters Local 500
🩺 Interested in a Career in Nursing?
🎒 Community Comes in for Lankenau
🕯️ An Evening with Raymond Polak
💉 Two PA Residents Die of Measles
🚌 Last Word

🚴🏽‍♀️Need More Cowbell!

Before the riders hit the road, join us Saturday from 3–5 PM for a pre-race cleanup along Kelly Drive.

🧹 Meet us Saturday at 3pm at Midvale and Ridge and help get the neighborhood looking great for race day.

Image: Clean-Up Flyer

The Philadelphia Cycling Classic returns Sunday for the first time in a decade, bringing world-class riders back to East Falls and Roxborough and up the iconic Manayunk Wall. Get your cowbells ready to cheer on the cyclists! 🚴🏽🔔!

Image: Photo of me, Mayor Nutter, and Philadelphia Cycling Classic organizers

🚴 Bike Race Fast Facts

Sunday, Aug. 30
Women: 8:35 AM | Men: Noon
Free to watch
Best local viewing: Midvale & River Road in East Falls, Main Street in Manayunk, or the Wall — Levering Street up to Lyceum Avenue
Live on 6abc
Back for the first time in 10 years

Learn more about the race here: Philadelphia Cycling Classic details.

New Big Bellies Helping Keep East Falls Clean

New Big Belly trash cans are now in place at Midvale & Ridge, near Mifflin School, and by the farmers market, helping keep some of our busiest community spaces cleaner.

I was happy to work with State Senator Vincent Hughes to help secure funding for these through a state grant.

Image: Checking out the new trash cans with EFDC Executive Director Catie Lexner

A big thank-you to Catie and the East Falls Development Corporation for making it happen and continuing to invest in a cleaner, stronger East Falls.

And yes, these Big Bellies are ready to eat the trash. 🗑️ #GetInMyBelly

Remembering Dolly

Dolly Parton was one of a kind: an extraordinary artist who transcended country music and connected with people from every walk of life. But her legacy extends far beyond her art. She was a champion for working people and a passionate advocate for giving children a strong start.

Click here or on the image below to watch a brief video

Image: Screenshot of social media video honoring Dolly and discussing the Imagination Library

I’m grateful to work with State Rep. Liz Hanbidge to expand Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in PA, giving kids 12 free books a year until age 5. Our bill passed the House and is now awaiting action in the Senate!

Through that program, Dolly turned her love of reading into a lasting gift for families and communities across the country. If we really want to honor Dolly’s legacy here in Pennsylvania, the PA Senate should pass our House Bill 1663!

Her music will live on, and her legacy can keep growing. ❤️📚

🔒Keeping Guns Out of the Wrong Hands

There are thousands of licensed gun dealers across Pennsylvania. Most play by the rules, but we need to make sure everyone does.

I’m working with State Reps. Chris Rabb, Ben Waxman, Lindsay Powell, and Ben Sanchez on a bill to strengthen inspections, improve reporting of lost or stolen guns, and help dealers upgrade security.

Image: With anti-gun violence advocates

It’s pretty simple: Responsible gun sales help keep our communities safer.

Newsweek covered our bill, and spoiler alert: The NRA is not happy.

Read the Newsweek article this bill here.

✈️ A Better Philly Airport Experience

Imagine getting to the airport and feeling like your trip has already started.

Image: Penn’s Landing Market at PHL

I joined members of the Philadelphia delegation for a tour of Philadelphia International Airport to talk about how we can make PHL more comfortable, modern, and easier to travel through.

Image: Concourse at PHL

That means larger, more comfortable gate areas, a better overall passenger experience, and investments that can help attract more direct flights to destinations across the country and around the world.

Image: Philly delegation outside PHLs new full-service Paris Baguette

A better PHL means a better experience for Philadelphia travelers and a stronger gateway for everyone coming to our city!

Geriatric Parole and Second Chances

On Tuesday at State Correctional Institution (SCI) Phoenix, I joined my House and Senate colleagues for a forum on House Bill 1550, Pennsylvania’s geriatric parole legislation.

We spoke with incarcerated people in their 60s through 90s who committed serious crimes decades ago and have spent much of their lives in prison.

Image: Stock photo of SCI Phoenix

HB 1550 would not automatically release anyone. It would create a careful parole process for medically appropriate, rehabilitated individuals while considering public safety, accountability, and victims’ families.

I also spoke with Craig Datesman, who was convicted of first-degree murder in the 1980s and is seeking parole. Members of the victim’s family support his petition - click here to read more about that. I’ll meet with Craig to hear more of his story.

Thank you to State Sen. Amanda Cappelletti and Rep. Rick Krajewski for hosting this important conversation.

Justice requires accountability, but it also leaves room for rehabilitation, mercy, and change.

Stalled in the PA Senate

Raise the minimum wage. Lower housing costs. Legalize cannabis. Get corporate money out of politics.

The PA House passed legislation on all of them. Now they’re stalled in the Senate.

It’s time to get them across the finish line.

Image: Opening Day at Rox and Lank!

Standing With Teamsters Local 500

On Saturday, I stood with members of Teamsters Local 500 on the picket line at Quaker Valley Foods on Red Lion Road, across from Swenson Arts & Technology High School.

These workers have been union members for 35 years, and this is their first-ever strike, coming under new ownership. They’re fighting for something every worker deserves: fair benefits and the ability to retire with dignity.

I was proud to stand in solidarity with them. When workers stand together for a fair deal, our whole community should stand with them.

Image: On the picket line with Local 500

🩺 Interested in a Career in Nursing?

Chi Eta Phi Sorority’s Theta Chapter is hosting a free virtual information session for high school students interested in nursing, along with parents and guidance counselors.

Tonight, students can learn about nursing careers, mentorship, scholarships, and an overnight HBCU college tour.

📅 Thursday, August 27

⏰ 6–7:30 PM

💻 Virtual and free to attend

👉 Click here to register

Image: Flyer for RN Bound! Program

Community Comes Together for Lankenau

They’re talking about closing Lankenau, but this community continues to show up for the school.

Staff spent all week getting ready, and over the weekend, parents, students, staff, and neighbors came together to clean up the grounds and spruce things up.

Thanks to everyone rallying behind Lankenau and its students!

Click here or the image below to watch the video.

Image: Screenshot of social media video about clean-up event.

Never Forget: An Evening with Holocaust Survivor Raymond Polak

As antisemitism continues to rise, hearing directly from Holocaust survivors has never been more important. Last week, I reported an antisemitic incident I witnessed outside the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History to the police. There is no place for antisemitism or hate in our community.

On Tuesday, Sept. 15, Rep. Mary Jo Daley and I will welcome Holocaust survivor Raymond Polak for a special community forum in partnership with the Holocaust Awareness Museum and Education Center.

Raymond will share his personal story of survival and reflect on the lessons of the Holocaust—lessons we have a responsibility to remember and pass on to future generations.

📅 Tuesday, Sept. 15 | 6–8 PM

📍 The Fallser Club

I hope you’ll join us for this powerful evening of remembrance, conversation, and learning.

Image: Flyer about community forum

Two Pennsylvanians Die from Measles

The Pennsylvania Department of Health just confirmed two measles-related deaths, our first in 35 years. Both were unvaccinated residents of Lancaster County.

This is especially tragic because measles is vaccine preventable. Vaccination rates are falling, and MMR coverage among U.S. kindergartners is now about 92.4%, below the roughly 95% level needed to prevent sustained outbreaks.

We are seeing people die from a disease that vaccination had made extraordinarily rare in this country.

Please make sure you and your family are up to date on your vaccinations.

Last Word

I still remember the nerves and excitement of my own first day of school at Greenberg. Wishing every student heading back to school that same sense of excitement—and a happy, successful year ahead!

Image: Greeting students as they return for their first day back to school!