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Dear Neighbor, There was a lot happening across central Chester County this week as our team attended events, met neighbors, and joined important conversations across the district. Last Saturday, Team Otten had a great time at Uwchlan Township Community Day chatting with neighbors, meeting new friends, and sharing information on state services. I’m grateful to everyone who stopped by to spend time with our team and learn more about the work we’re doing. On Monday, I hosted the House Majority Policy Committee for a visit to the Technical College High School (TCHS) Brandywine campus in Downingtown. We toured the building and held a roundtable discussion to see firsthand how increased funding for career and technical education in this year’s budget will help create careers for more people and keep Pennsylvania competitive. On Tuesday, Representative Paul Friel and I welcomed the Policy Committee for a visit to the Camphill School Transition Program at Beaver Farm. We toured the campus and met with families, providers, and advocates to identify needs and solutions for young people with disabilities as they transition out of their school years and into adult life. And this week, we also said farewell to our summer interns, Grace and Trisha. Their energy, curiosity, and commitment to public service made a real difference in our office, and we are excited to see where their journeys take them next.
House Majority Policy Committee Highlights Increased Funding for Career & Technical Education On Monday, I hosted the House Majority Policy Committee at the Technical College High School’s Downingtown Campus for a tour and roundtable discussion. The purpose of the visit was to highlight how increased funding for career and technical education in this year’s budget will expand opportunities for students, strengthen our workforce, and keep Pennsylvania competitive. Seeing the programs in action underscored how important it is to give every student access to an education that prepares them for success, whether that means college, the workforce, or an apprenticeship. The conversations we had with students, educators, and administrators showed how hands-on learning opens doors, builds confidence, and creates real pathways to good careers right here in Pennsylvania. I am proud that this year’s budget invests in these programs, and I look forward to continuing this work for our region. |
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House Majority Policy Committee Discusses Transition Services and Supports for Young Adults with Disabilities On Tuesday, Representative Paul Friel and I hosted the House Majority Policy Committee for a visit to The Camphill School Transition Program at Beaver Farm in Phoenixville. The purpose of the visit was to learn more about the needs and challenges young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities face as they transition out of the K-12 school system and into adult life. The tour and roundtable discussion highlighted how programs like Camphill provide hands-on learning, community connection, and the support students need to build skills and confidence as they transition from school to adulthood. We also heard directly from families and providers about the gaps in Pennsylvania’s current system, including the requirement that students leave the program the day before they turn 22 years old – even if that date falls within the middle of the school year – and the lack of supportive, affordable residential options once they reach 22 years of age. I have been involved and invested in this issue for my entire time in office, and I am a strong believer in the work being done at Camphill. I want to see more people across Pennsylvania have access to programs like this, and I will continue pushing to ensure that our system of care provides adults with disabilities a full range of choices about how and where they live, access to settings that allow them to thrive, and information and resources to help them navigate the transition from the K-12 system to adult services. |
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Farewell to our Summer Interns, Grace and Trisha This week we said a heartfelt goodbye to our summer interns, Grace and Trisha. From day one, they jumped in with curiosity, kindness, and a real passion for public service. They brought fresh ideas to our projects, helped constituents with care and patience, and made our office brighter every single day. In their farewell video, they sat down to share what drew them to our team, what they learned about state government, and how this experience shaped their goals moving forward. Watching them reflect on their time here reminded us how important it is to invest in the next generation of leaders in central Chester County. We’re grateful for their hard work, their energy, and the positive mark they left on our community. We can’t wait to see where their journeys take them next! If you missed their fun and informative Harrisburg 101 series or any of the other social media projects Grace and Trisha worked on, make sure to check them out on Instagram and TikTok. |
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PUBLIC COMMENT OPPORTUNITIES: PA DEP Public Comment on PFAS The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection is accepting public comments on revised draft permits for biosolids producers to prevent PFOS and PFOA from ending up on farm fields. The proposed new safeguards are designed to prevent PFAS “forever chemicals” from polluting farm fields and groundwater. The changes would require wastewater treatment facilities to monitor PFOS and PFOA in biosolids for the first time and take steps to reduce contamination when levels exceed certain thresholds. PFAS chemicals have been linked to numerous health issues, and these changes are intended to give farmers confidence that the biosolids they use are safe and to protect soil and water resources across Pennsylvania. You can submit a comment through the DEP eComment platform or email: ecomment@pa.gov (Be sure to include your name and address). The permits open for comment are PAG-07 (General Permit for Beneficial Use of Exceptional Quality Biosolids) and PAG-08 (General Permit for Beneficial Use of Biosolids).
For more information, see the public comment announcement on the DEP website.
Uwchlan Township Public Comment Deadline Extended for Lionville Station Road The Uwchlan Township Board of Supervisors will continue its hearing on Lionville Station Road on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. at the Township Building. The deadline for written public comment has again been extended to 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 8, 2026. Comments should be submitted to: LSR@uwchlan.com. For more information, please visit the township’s Lionville Station Road landing page |
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Back-to-School Supplies Drive The start of the school year is approaching fast, and that means it’s almost time to start preparing for the first day of classes by getting new school supplies for the students in our lives. For some families this means a quick trip to Target or Staples for a new backpack and some folders, but for those already struggling to make ends meet, the start of the new school year can create additional burdens.
To help families in Chester County start the new school year on the right track, my office is hosting a Back-to-School Supplies Drive.
We will be collecting donations at our district office, 631 N. Pottstown Pike in Exton, through Friday, August 14. Supplies can be dropped off Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 4:30 PM. |
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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. |
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Property Tax/Rent Rebate Application Period Extended
The 2026 Property Tax/Rent Rebate Application Period has been extended through December 31, 2026. The Department of Revenue began sending rebates on 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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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! |
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District Office 631 North Pottstown Pike |
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Pennsylvania State Capitol 34 East Wing PO Box 202155 (717) 783-5009 |
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