|
|
Dear Neighbor,
We were back in Harrisburg this week for an active stretch of session, with full agendas in committee and important work on the House floor. Our summer interns, Grace and Trisha, joined us for the day on Monday and had the chance to lend a hand, meet staff across the Capitol, and get a genuine behind-the-scenes look at how a session day unfolds from start to finish.
On Monday I had the solemn honor of speaking on the House floor as the chamber unanimously adopted a condolence resolution recognizing the life and legacy of Pennsylvania State Police Corporal Timothy J. O’Connor Jr.
In the House Education Committee, we continued our work to strengthen oversight of Pennsylvania’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit program. The committee advanced measures aimed at bringing long overdue transparency and accountability to a program that has operated for too long without the public reporting and standards taxpayers deserve.
You can read more about each of these updates in the sections below.
Honoring the Life and Legacy of PSP Corporal Timothy J. O'Connor Jr.
On Monday, I had the solemn honor of speaking on the House floor to recognize the life and legacy of PA State Police Corporal Timothy J. O’Connor Jr., a devoted public servant and a cherished member of our community who was tragically killed in the line of duty this past March. We were joined in the chamber by Corporal O'Connor's family and several members of the PSP command staff as we passed a resolution to honor his courage, his commitment, and the profound impact he had on so many.
It was a privilege to offer our deepest condolences to those who knew and loved him, and to stand with his family and colleagues as we remembered his service and sacrifice. Corporal O’Connor’s legacy will continue to live on in the community he protected and in the lives he touched through his dedication and integrity.
You can watch my full remarks here. |
|
.png)
|
House Education Committee
On Tuesday, I voted in support of HB 2632, a bill that brings transparency and accountability to Pennsylvania’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program while expanding opportunities for students most in need and ensuring that taxpayer dollars are used effectively and efficiently.
Before Tuesday’s vote, thousands of Pennsylvanians received text messages containing false information about the bill. Here are the facts:
This bill does not eliminate a single scholarship for a disadvantaged student. Instead, it expands access by redirecting unused EITC scholarship funds to high-demand Pre-K and early childhood education programs, after-school programs, and tutoring programs offered through approved Educational Improvement Organizations. It also establishes basic reporting requirements, so we can see exactly where those dollars go.
Read my full statement here. |
|
|
Meet our Summer Interns
Our district office is fortunate to have two fabulous interns joining us this summer to get hands-on experience working in the Pennsylvania legislature. The summer is just getting started but they’re already jumping right into the work. From policy research to community outreach, they’re ready to take on whatever this season brings. Meet our summer interns, Grace and Trisha!
The Capitol on a session day can be a chaotic place. On any given day, there will be energetic rallies in the Rotunda bringing the building to life, along with quick transitions to committee meetings, caucus, and the House floor. This week, we brought our legislative interns, Grace and Trisha, to the Capitol to let them see all the action in person. Grace and Trisha jumped right into the day, capturing what a full day in Harrisburg really looks like from an intern’s perspective.
From legislative research and committee meetings to exploring the building and connecting with the Chester County Delegation, they brought fresh eyes and great energy to every moment. Grace and Trisha kept the day moving with curiosity and enthusiasm, and we are excited to see what adventures they take on next.
Take a look at their Day in the Life! |
|
Celebrating Juneteenth
Pennsylvania state offices and my legislative district office will be closed on Friday, June 19th, in celebration and commemoration of Juneteenth, the date when enslaved people in Texas were finally given the news that they were free. On June 19, 1865, more than two years after President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to deliver the news that the practice of enslaving and trafficking people to profit from their labor was no longer a legal practice in the United States — news that had been intentionally withheld by the enslavers who benefited from free labor.
On Juneteenth, as we celebrate the anniversary of the full enforcement of emancipation and the culmination of Black Americans' centuries-long fight for freedom, we also acknowledge that the work of true and full emancipation remains unfinished.
Juneteenth invites us to reflect on the resilience, leadership, and cultural legacy of Black Americans, and to recognize the generations who have pushed this country closer to its ideals. It also calls us to continue the work of expanding justice and equality in our communities today by continuing the fight for voting rights, fair wages, healthcare, education, and environmental and economic justice for all. As we celebrate this day, we honor the past and recommit ourselves to building a future free from injustice, racism, and discrimination. |
|
|
|
|
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. |
|
|
|
Celebrate Summer and the Semiquincentennial in Chester County
This summer provides an opportunity for our community to take part in America’s Semiquincentennial, a milestone that will bring international attention to our region. With major events like the MLB All-Star Game and the FIFA World Cup coming to Pennsylvania, visitors from around the world will get a glimpse of what makes Southeastern Pennsylvania such a remarkable place to live. Beyond the excitement of these events, our corner of the state stands out for its mix of history, natural beauty, and vibrant local communities. If you are looking for some ideas close to home, the Brandywine Valley website is a great place to start.
We are fortunate to live in an area where the story of our nation is still visible in the landscape around us. The fields and roads near the Battle of the Brandywine, the trails at Valley Forge, and the historic sites just outside Philadelphia remind us how much of America’s early history unfolded right here. The Semiquincentennial offers a meaningful opportunity to reconnect with that legacy and explore the places that helped shape our country. You can find events and resources through America250PA and America250Chesco.
There is so much to see and experience across our region, and summer is the perfect time to get out and enjoy it. |
|
|
|
|
Property Tax/Rent Rebate Application Period Extended
The 2026 Property Tax/Rent Rebate Application Period has been extended through December 31, 2026. Rebates on property taxes or rent paid in 2025 will be distributed beginning 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. |
|
|
|
|
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. |
|
|
|
|
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. |
|
|
|
|
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. |
|
|
|
|
Our district office will be closed on Friday, June 19, in celebration and commemoration of Juneteenth. We will return on Monday, June 22, at 9:00 AM.
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! |
|
|
|
District Office 631 North Pottstown Pike |
|
Pennsylvania State Capitol 34 East Wing PO Box 202155 (717) 783-5009 |
|
|
