In this issue:

🇺🇸 Honoring Officer Andy Chan
🍎 Students Making Change in Capital
🫆 Rooting Out Insider Corruption
🌽 Supporting Local Farmers
📚 AAPI & Jewish Heritage Month
🏥 International Workers’ Day
📜 Harrisburg Update
🏃 Run for a Cause
🗳️ May Primary Reminder
🗓️ Upcoming Events

🇺🇸 Honoring Officer Andy Chan

Last week, I joined my colleagues in the Pennsylvania House in honoring the life and service of Officer Andy Chan and recognizing the sacrifice made by his family following his passing in December.

Officer Chan, who was from our Northwest Philadelphia community, dedicated more than two decades to the Philadelphia Police Department, including serving in Highway Patrol, and was deeply respected for his professionalism, courage, and commitment to protecting others.

Image: With Officer Chan’s son Thaisen Nguyen, a member of our PA Army National Guard

Officer Chan passed away after a long fight after catastrophic injuries sustained in a 2019 motorcycle crash while on duty. His perseverance throughout those years, and the strength shown by his family, left a lasting impact on so many across Philadelphia and especially here in our community.

It was an honor to welcome Officer Chan’s family to the House chamber and pay tribute to his legacy of service and sacrifice. His memory continues to live on through his legacy as an officer and the lives he touched as an officer, husband, father, neighbor, and friend.

🍎Students Making Change in Harrisburg

Last week, the Pennsylvania House passed my resolution recognizing World Hunger Day by a bipartisan vote of 193-8 and was adopted by the House!!

What made this moment especially meaningful was getting to work alongside students from Norwood-Fontbonne Academy throughout the process. This resolution was theirs from the beginning— the idea, the content and language of the bill, and my comments were strongly reflective of their input.

And the students joined us in Harrisburg to see the entire process firsthand — from helping shape an idea and advocate for it, to watching it pass on the House floor.

You can read our resolution here: https://www.palegis.us/legislation/bills/2025/hr493

Hear from the students directly on why this resolution was important by clicking here!

Seeing these students engage in the democratic process and watching their leadership, optimism, and hard work firsthand was truly inspiring!

🫆Rooting out Insider Corruption

I was recently featured in a story by WHYY discussing legislation related to prediction markets and online betting regulations in Pennsylvania. As new technologies and financial products continue to evolve, it’s important that lawmakers carefully examine consumer protections, transparency, and the potential impacts on Pennsylvanians.

🌽 Supporting Local Farmers

Last weekend I went to Country Fair Day at Saul and got to talk to one of our local farmers. He runs a local seed business, and he talked about the need for grant funding from our state to help him grow his business. This is similar to the stories I heard from farmers at the Pennsylvania Farm show earlier this year.

Image: With Saul Alum last weekend

Last week, the Agriculture Committee advanced my bill, House Bill 2468, to nearly double the funding for Pennsylvania’s Agricultural Innovation Grant Program.

This program helps local farmers modernize, stay competitive, and keep family farms running strong by investing in new technology and smarter farming practices. That means helping farmers lower costs, improve efficiency, and adapt to a changing economy.

Agriculture is a huge part of Pennsylvania’s economy and supports hundreds of thousands of jobs across the Commonwealth. Investing in innovation helps protect local food systems and ensures the next generation of farmers can continue to succeed here in PA.

Click here or on the link below to hear me and Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding talk about why this funding matters for the future of Pennsylvania farming.

Image: Interviewing Secretary Russell Reading at the Appropriations Committee

Celebrating AAPI & Jewish-American Heritage Months at the Capitol

Last week, I joined colleagues and community leaders in Philadelphia and Harrisburg to celebrate AAPI and Jewish American Heritage Months and recognize the many ways these communities strengthen Pennsylvania.

The gatherings were a meaningful reminder that these stories and contributions are not just part of our history — they continue to shape Pennsylvania today. I was proud to stand alongside advocates and neighbors to celebrate the rich cultural traditions and lasting impact of both communities, and to reaffirm that everyone deserves to feel seen, respected, and supported. At a time of rising anti-Asian hate and antisemitism, building strong alliances matters more than ever.

The House also passed my bipartisan resolution recognizing May 2026 as AAPI Heritage Month and honoring the more than 600,000 Pennsylvanians of AAPI heritage for their contributions across health care, education, public service, business, the arts, and communities across our Commonwealth.

International Workers’ Day

Proud to stand with the nurses and healthcare workers of the Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses & Allied Professionals this International Workers’ Day (aka May Day) while recognizing workers across every industry who keep our communities moving forward every day.

International Workers’ Day is a reminder that strong communities are built by working people, from healthcare workers and teachers to transit workers, service employees, tradespeople, and public servants. Every worker deserves fair pay, safe working conditions, dignity on the job, and the ability to support themselves and their families.

Fighting for You at the Capitol

This past week, my House colleagues and I moved a set of bills that make a real difference for families across Pennsylvania, especially when it comes to protecting kids and lowering everyday costs.

We strengthened protections for children by requiring mandated reporters to report suspected child sexual abuse materials, including AI-generated content (HB 2474), and by improving how law enforcement can investigate and prosecute internet crimes against children (HB 1098). We also took a step toward making sure every child can see clearly in the classroom by creating a new state commission to develop a plan for no- or low-cost vision exams and glasses for students who need them (HB 1077).

And on the cost-of-living side, we moved to rein in rental application fees (HB 558), helping reduce upfront costs for tenants already navigating a tough housing market.

Run for a Cause

This weekend, I was honored to help hand out awards at two incredible community events: the Cook Wissahickon School 5K and the Friends in Pink 5K.

On Saturday, I cheered on the inspiring runners at Cook Wiss — including many student participants. They raised nearly $10,000 to support the school!

Then on Sunday, I joined the Friends in Pink Mother’s Day race to raise funds to support those facing breast cancer. I ran alongside students from Green Woods Charter— plenty of them beat me, but I was proud to finish first in the 40-49 age group! Shout out to longtime organizer Patti Brennan and all those who supported this great event. Click here or the image below to watch the video!

🗳️ May Primary Election Reminder

The May primary is next week!

Your voice is your vote. If you haven’t completed your mail in ballot, you can return it at the secure Dropbox at Kendrick Rec (5800 Ridge Ave).

UPCOMING EVENTS:

May 12 – Property Tax / Rent Rebate Clinic
12:30 – 3 PM | Journey’s Way, 403 Rector Street

Join us to apply for a program that can put real money back in your pocket if you qualify. This is for property tax or rent rebates. Don’t miss this opportunity to save! Call our office for more details or to set an appointment. Appointment is required—call our office at 215-482-8726.

May 30 – Shredder Day at NewCourtland
9 AM – 12 PM | NewCourtland, 3232 Henry Avenue

Shredder Day is Saturday, May 30, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.! Three hours to safely dispose of personal documents, protect yourself from identity theft, and enjoy a little peace of mind. Bring your old papers and watch our team handle them securely.

All my best,

Tarik