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Dear Neighbor,
February marks the start of state budget planning in Pennsylvania, as Gov. Josh Shapiro delivered the yearly proposal to a joint session of the General Assembly on Feb. 3. In the coming weeks, the House and Senate will hold hearings to examine the plan and discuss with commonwealth agencies about their spending priorities. For the schedule and to watch along on YouTube beginning Monday, visit here.
A budget is a covenant between a government and its people. It sets the very priorities of our democracy. In that way, I believe that Gov. Shapiro’s proposal would deliver a comprehensive injection of support for students across the state who need it most, economic development incentives for every sector, including infrastructure and mass transit, energy-sector investments, and a focus on housing affordability and an increase in wages.
As chair of the Pennsylvania House Tourism Committee, I’m also following the parts of the proposal related to tourism, including continued efforts to market the Great American Getaway to visitors and celebrate America250 in Pennsylvania.
We aim to do a lot with a budget. In the end, each year, it takes thoughtful debate, careful review and collaboration to ensure that Pennsylvania’s is balanced, forward-looking and grounded in the people’s priorities. You can count on all of my energy in those pursuits ahead of the June 30 deadline.
In other important news, I want you to know that I hear and share your concerns about ICE and their terrorizing communities across the country, including here in Montgomery County and in Philadelphia.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement is a federal agency under the leadership of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and ultimately President Donald Trump. It’s important that concerns over the federal government are heard at the federal level, so please also click here to find all of the contact information for Pennsylvania’s Congressional delegation.
And make no mistake, ICE's amateur paramilitary tactics and reckless lack of order are a failure of leadership at the highest level. These raids are not making our communities safer, nor do they seem designed to accomplish that goal. Kudos to our neighbors in Bucks County for their bipartisan vote against ICE detention facilities in their county.
Again, the tactics employed by ICE officials are proving to be inhumane, ineffective and unconstitutional. We must hold accountable those who violate both their duty to the constitution and the rights of our community members. If you need to report civil unrest involving ICE, please contact the ACLU of Pennsylvania to report rights violations.
I also want you to know that you have the inalienable right to peacefully protest your government for any reason, certainly including for any illegal actions harming or killing people.
And if you do choose to protest, I encourage you to consider training in nonviolent intervention so you can protect both yourself and those around you. Frameworks such as the Movement Action Plan and the Four Roles of Social Change developed by Bill Moyer, along with the nonviolent direct-action philosophy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., provide practical tools for channeling grief and anger into focused, constructive action.
We are all faced with serious matters that deserve more than talk. I will continue pressing for transparency, accountability and lawful conduct at every level of government. Public policy is strongest when it’s examined closely and discussed openly, and I intend to keep doing both. |
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Sincerely, |
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State Rep. Mary Jo Daley 148th Legislative District |
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In This Update:
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Summer 2026 PA House Fellowship |
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Applications for the Summer 2026 Pennsylvania House of Representatives Legislative Fellowship Program are now being accepted.
Applications for the Summer Semester are due on Monday, March 2.
The Fellowship Program is based in Pennsylvania’s magnificent Capitol Building in Harrisburg. Fellows are assigned to work in House Standing Committees or House Leadership offices, are compensated for their work (which may also include college credit), and are provided the opportunities to draft and present their own legislation, attend meet-and-greets with various public officials and staff, and tour some of the Commonwealth’s historic public spaces, to name a few. The Summer Semester will run from Thursday, June 4 through Thursday August 6, 2026.
Qualified applicants will be:
Learn more at www.pahousefellowship.us. Applications can be submitted via email to: pahousefellowship@pabmc.net. |
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Upcoming Events |
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March 31st – Free Veterans Tribute Lunch 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. at the Spring Mill Ballroom,1210 E. Hector St., Conshohocken, PA 19428 To all veterans and their family and friends, please join me and my office for a Free Veterans Tribute Lunch at the Spring Mill Ballroom. Lunch will be served, and guests can learn about services for veterans from our many vendors attending.
RSVP is required, please register by reaching out to our email at repmaryjodaley@pahouse.net or our phone number at 610-832-1679. |
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Starting in March: Free Virtual Support Group for Adult Survivors of Sexual Assault |
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May 2nd – Free Shredding Event Saturday, May 2, 2026 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Black Rock Middle School Parking Lot, 1860 Montgomery Ave., Villanova, PA 19085
Join us for our popular FREE shredding event! Bring up to three boxes/bags per household of your unwanted documents and other paper scraps, and we’ll shred it for free until the shredding truck is full. All shredded paper will be recycled. |
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Available Programs |
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Fast File your PA taxes
The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue has launched a free pilot program offering eligible Pennsylvanians a simplified way to file their PA Personal Income Tax Return (PA-40) this tax season.
The Fast File initiative is for Pennsylvania taxpayers who have a straightforward state tax return and meet other specific criteria.
The Department of Revenue has identified nearly 100,000 Pennsylvanians who may qualify to use Fast File ahead of the April 15 deadline for filing taxes. Eligible taxpayers will also receive letters in the mail encouraging them to use the Fast File option through myPATH.
2025 Property Tax/Rent Rebate application open
The Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program supports homeowners and renters across Pennsylvania. This program provides a rebate ranging from $380 to $1,000 to eligible older adults and people with disabilities age 18 and older.
Click here to learn whether you qualify, how much you would receive and to apply online.
The program is scheduled to end on June 30. Reach out to my office if you have questions. |
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LIHEAP is open
The 2025-26 LIHEAP season is open through April 10.
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program helps families with low income pay their heating bills in the form of a cash grant. Households in immediate danger of being without heat can also qualify for crisis grants.
The cash grant is a one-time payment sent directly to the utility company/fuel provider to be credited on your bill. These grants range from $200 to $1,000 based on household size, income, and fuel type.
Apply online using COMPASS or by downloading and filling out a paper application and returning it either in-person or via mail to the Montgomery County Assistance Office at 1931 New Hope Street, Norristown, PA 19401-3191. If you need assistance filling out the application, call the LIHEAP hotline at 1-866-857-7095.
My office can print out these applications and send them to the Department of Human Services for constituents. Contact my office if you need help applying. |
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Satellite Office Hours — Whitemarsh
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Join us at the Whitemarsh Township building every third Wednesday of the month to meet with my district staff and handle many state-level services. We hope to see you there!
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Available Grants |
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It is important that the 148th Legislative District receives the funding support it needs for public and non-profit services year-round. Below are a few grants available with application deadlines in February and March.
Please feel free to share this information with an entity, organization, or local group you know that may be interested in applying. My office can help you in this process and connecting with other government agencies.
Pennsylvania eGrants Online Portal
Department of Community and Economic Development: PA SITES: Who May Apply: Municipalities, economic development organizations, redevelopment authorities, municipal authorities, industrial development agencies, and for-profit organizations. Use: To develop competitive sites for businesses to relocate or expand within Pennsylvania. Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and approved on a quarterly basis. More information: DCED Website
Department of Community and Economic Development: Manufacturing PA Training-to-Career Grant: Who May Apply: Technical and trade schools, school districts, post-secondary academic institutions, workforce investment boards, economic development organizations, and non-profit organizations. For-profit entities are not eligible. Use: Projects must focus on the development and deployment of workforce training programs for individuals with barriers to employment, engage youth or those with barriers in awareness building activities of manufacturing career opportunities, and advance capacity for local or regional manufacturers to meet the needs of local and regional manufacturers that cannot be met through existing programs such as WEDnet and Industry Partnerships. Application Deadline: Applications will be accepted and evaluated on an ongoing basis as long as funds remain available. More information: DCED Website
Department of Community and Economic Development: Pennsylvania First: Who May Apply: Businesses, Municipalities, Municipal Authorities, Redevelopment Authorities, Industrial Development Authorities or Corporations, Local Development Districts. Use: Machinery/equipment; Job training; Infrastructure; Land and building improvements; Environmental assessment/remediation; Acquisition of land, buildings, right-of-ways; Working capital; Site preparation. Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. More information: DCED Website
Department of Military and Veterans Affairs: Grants to Veterans’ Service Officer Programs Who May Apply: The American Legion, AMVETS, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, and Disabled American Veterans Use: To improve the administration and delivery of services to Pennsylvania’s veterans. Application Deadline: February 27, 2026, or whenever funds are exhausted. More information: MVA Website
Historical & Museum Commission: Keystone Historic Preservation Planning Grant Who May Apply: Local governments, historic preservation organizations, historical societies, conservancies, colleges and universities, religious institutions, museums, and other historical organizations. Historic property must be publicly accessible and listed in, or documented as eligible for listing in, the National Register of Historic Places. Private property owners and businesses are not eligible. Use: To support projects that identify, preserve, promote and protect historic and archaeological resources of Pennsylvania for both the benefit of the public and the revitalization of communities. Application Deadline: March 2, 2026, or whenever funds are exhausted. More information: HMC Website
Historical & Museum Commission: Keystone Historic Preservation Construction Grant Who May Apply: Local governments, historic preservation organizations, historical societies, conservancies, colleges and universities, religious institutions, museums, and other historical organizations. Historic property must be publicly accessible and listed in, or documented as eligible for listing in, the National Register of Historic Places. Private property owners and businesses are not eligible. Use: To support projects that rehabilitate, restore, or preserve historic resources listed in or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. Application Deadline: March 2, 2026, or whenever funds are exhausted. More information: HMC Website
Department of Environmental Protection: Small Business Advantage Grant Program Who May Apply: Pennsylvania-based small businesses Use: Adopt processes or acquire equipment which results in energy efficiency, pollution prevention, and natural resource protection. Application Deadline: March 13, 2026, or whenever funds are exhausted. More information: DEP website
Department of Community and Economic Development: Pennsylvania Public School Facility Improvement Grant Program Who May Apply: A school entity is eligible to apply for a grant. “School Entity” is defined as a school district or area career and technical school. Use: Roof repairs and roof replacement, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning equipment, boilers and controls, plumbing systems, energy-saving projects, health and safety upgrades, emergencies, accessibility projects, internet connectivity, demolition, window repairs and window replacement. Application Deadline: March 13, 2026, or whenever funds are exhausted. More information: DCED website
Liquor Control Board: Alcohol Education Grant Who May Apply: Eligible grant applicants include Pennsylvania school districts and institutions of higher education (including technical, trade, and post-secondary establishments), community organizations, municipal police departments, municipal officials/representatives, and nonprofit and for-profit organizations Use: The PLCB is now accepting applications for grants to fund programs that discourage and reduce underage and dangerous drinking and promote a message of responsible alcohol consumption by those of legal drinking age. Application Deadline: March 20, 2026, or whenever funds are exhausted. More information: PLCB website |
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Pennsylvania State Capitol 225 Irvis Office Building Harrisburg, PA 17120 (717) 787-9475 |
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District Office 312 Old Lancaster Rd. (610) 832-1679 |
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