Dear Neighbors,

Most of us remember when Hahnemann Hospital 🏥 shut down in 2019. This followed a private equity corporation buying the 171-year-old institution and then immediately stripping the hospital of its valuable real estate. When they shut down 18 months later, over 2,500 health care workers lost their jobs (including many of our neighbors) and an entire community lost their health care system. Now, in Delaware County, Crozer Health has drastically reduced services, threatening care for thousands more.

I ran for state rep pledging to help stop future Hahnemanns and this session I reintroduced legislation with state Rep. Lisa Borowski (D-Delaware) that would give the PA Attorney General the power to stop hospital and health system acquisitions by private equity and private companies if they deem it would harm our community. This week our bill was approved by the health committee with overwhelming support!

Our bill is about protecting lives — and standing up for the health care workers, patients, and families who depend on their local hospitals every day.

Click here, or on the photo below, to watch a brief video of how our bill put patients over profits!

Image: Photo of me from rally.

Protecting our Elections

We’ve already seen it — AI-generated voices and images used to impersonate candidates and mislead voters in other states. That kind of deception has no place in our democracy.

That’s why I introduced H.B. 811, a bipartisan bill to stop the misuse of artificial intelligence in political ads. I am proud to say that this bill passed the Communications and Technology Committee this week! This bill would:

Require a clear disclosure if synthetic content (like fake videos or AI voices) is used in a political ad.
Hold bad actors accountable if they intentionally deceive voters using AI in the 90 days before an election.
Protect free speech and media by exempting parody, satire, and platforms that didn’t create the content.

This is not about limiting expression — it’s about truth in advertising. Voters deserve to know when what they’re seeing or hearing is fake.

Watch a video of my testimony in the Communications & Technology Committee by clicking here, or on the photo below.

Image: Screenshot of video from hearing on my bill to regulate AI usage in campaigns.

Supporting Every Child in Every School

Cyber charter schools are public schools — but for years, they’ve operated without real accountability, transparency, or oversight. That’s finally changing.

This week, I voted in support of the Cyber Charter Reform Act to modernize our outdated cyber charter laws. The bill advanced out of committee on Tuesday, and a final vote on the House floor Wednesday.

Here’s what it does:

Sets a fair, statewide tuition rate to stop overcharging taxpayers.
Ends wasteful slush funds by limiting cyber charter fund balances — cyber charters stashed over $600 million with little oversight.
Demands accountability for low-performing cyber schools, holding them to the same reporting requirements for annual budgets, financial statements, construction costs and other expenses that school districts report.

Why it matters: Only 6 out of 10 cyber students graduate, compared to nearly 9 out of 10 in traditional public schools. This bill, introduced by state Rep. Mary Isaacson (D-Philadelphia), would return over half a billion dollars annually to local school districts and taxpayers. That means more money for Philadelphia public schools. It means accountability for property tax dollars that were previously being used to fund slush funds and real estate investments by cyber charter companies. It’s a win for our kids, our schools, and every Pennsylvanian footing the bill.

In the spring I got the opportunity to ask PA Auditor General Timothy DeFoor about an audit of five cyber charter schools in our commonwealth that his office completed in February 2025. From that audit, they discovered that those five schools increased their revenue by over $400 million and their reserve account grew by 144%. His office’s recommendations were a major influence on this legislation.

Watch the video of that hearing, where I ask AG DeFoor about his audit, by clicking here or on the photo below.

Image: Screenshot from video of my testimony during votes on the Cyber Charter Reform Act.

Preventing Tragedies Before They Happen

This week, I co-prime sponsored two bipartisan bills that passed unanimously out of the Human Services Committee to strengthen suicide prevention across our commonwealth by supporting 988.

My bill with state Rep. Tarah Probst (D-Munroe) would ensure better coordination for suicide prevention in high-risk populations by creating a public education campaign around 988 services.

Image: Graphic for HB 988, “Helping People in Crisis.”

My bill with state Rep. KC Tomlinson (R-Bucks) would improve education and outreach around suicide prevention services by requiring info on 988 to be posted in all state parks.

Image: Graphic for HB 415, “Preventing Tragedies Before They Happen.”

We must continue working to save lives through prevention, education, and compassion, and I am proud to be a part of that work with my colleagues in the PA House.

Pack 334 Arrow of Light Ceremony

Image: Photo of me with Scouts, den leaders, and proud parents.

Congratulations to the Scouts of Pack 334 who advanced in rank this weekend — including those who earned their Arrow of Light badge! The rising sun on the badge symbolizes seven core values: justice, self-control, confidence, hope, faith, love, and wisdom — ideals to live by every day of the week.

I’m proud to have such a strong scouting community in the 194th Legislative District and am looking forward to seeing where their future leads them!

Chestnut Hill East Rail Line: Summer Bridge Repairs

From Sunday, June 15 at Midnight through Tuesday, Sept. 2 at 5 AM, the Chestnut Hill East Regional Rail line will be completely suspended for bridge repairs.

During this time, SEPTA will add service to the Chestnut Hill West line, including:

Weekday peak hours: Trains every 30 minutes.
Weekday off-peak hours: Hourly service.
Weekends: Hourly service with 9 inbound and 10 outbound trains.

The Chestnut Hill East and West stations are a 10-minute walk apart, and Route 23 remains a frequent bus option with direct access to Center City.

📍 Plan your trip at plan.septa.org.

Image: SEPTA graphic for Chestnut Hill East repair closure.

UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS

Councilmember Jones' Shredder Day

Missed the last shredder day? No worries — here’s another chance to clear out your sensitive documents safely!

Councilmember Curtis Jones and Philadelphia House Delegation Chair Rep. Morgan Cephas are teaming up to host this free Shredder Day at McDevitt Rec Center (3531 Scotts Lane).

Drop by anytime between 9 AM and noon with your papers and keep your personal info secure!

Image: Graphic for Councilmember Jones’ shredder day.

📚 Monday, June 16th is Library Office Hours
at the Andorra Library!

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

Monday night our staff will be at the Andorra Library (705 E. Cathedral Road) on June 16, 4 PM - 7 PM. Come by if you are free!

Image: Flyer with information for each of the upcoming office hour events.

Community Forum with Senator Haywood

Join state Sen. Art Haywood and me on Wednesday, June 18 from 5:30 to 7:30 PM at the Roxborough Memorial Hospital Wolcoff Auditorium for a critical discussion on the federal budget and its impact on Pennsylvanians and our community.

A staff member from Congressman Dwight Evans’ office will also be there to provide insights and answer questions from the federal perspective, and there is a chance we will be joined by state Sen. Vincent Hughes as well, schedule depending. This is a great chance to hear directly from your state and federal representatives, share your concerns, and discuss how federal decisions affect local programs and services. Everyone is welcome!

For questions, feel free to reach out to our office at (215) 482-8726.

Image: Graphic for 6/18 Community Forum.