Dear Neighbors,

Last week’s Manayunk StreEAT festival wasn’t the only good food news in our area last week…

We passed my bipartisan bill in the PA House last week to allow for the donation of good food just passed its ‘best-by’ date. Despite millions of US kids going hungry every year, we waste over a 100 million tons of food in the US each year. My bill will help get more food back on food pantry shelves. It passed the PA House unanimously 203-0!

This is welcome news, since we also recently learned that the federal government “clawed back” millions from our local food banks. To be exact, $1.4 million was cut from Philabundance and $8 million was cut from SHARE Food. Money that would have gone to supporting Pennsylvania grown food to feed hungry local families. Our tax money.

Click on the image below to watch how my important bill can help families in our community.

Image: Photo of me speaking on the House floor in support of this bill

Did you catch the new Shredder Day Video? 

Click on the image below to see our video announcement!

Hope you had as much fun watching this as we had making it…

So join us Saturday, May 17 for Shredder Day, where you can securely shred your private documents and other paper items — up to three trash bags full.

Yes, it’s at the Roxborough YMCA - 7201 Ridge Avenue and we’re going to go from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. 

And yes, costumes are entirely optional.

If you have any questions, please get in touch with our office at (215) 482-8726!

In case you missed it, last Wednesday, we had well over 200 neighbors join us for a community forum with Congressman Dwight Evans and Senator Sharif Street in Roxborough. 

We took questions from the audience for nearly 90 minutes and listened to many comments about the federal and state challenges facing our communities. It was an important — and at times heavy — conversation, as people raised urgent questions about healthcare, education, American rights and freedoms and the impact of federal policies and actions on us here at home. 

Image: Photo of me speaking with neighbors during our Community Forum event

I shared how my colleagues and I in the PA House passed bills to safeguard key protections of the Affordable Care Act here in Pennsylvania — including protecting people with pre-existing conditions from being discriminated against getting healthcare, protecting people from getting kicked off their insurance for using too much coverage because they got sick, and my bill to ensure young adults can stay on their parents’ insurance plans until age 26. 

I also let folks know we’re pushing hard to fully and fairly fund our public schools— including hundreds of millions of additional funding for Philly schools again in our next budget– because every kid in every school deserves a high quality education. We’re working to invest nearly $2.5 Billion in additional funding for Medicaid— because we believe the health of our community is a place we should invest, not look to make cuts. And we’re fighting back against the cuts to local programs like the $90,000 cut from Northlight’s Summer Teen Job Program (which our office helped restore), the $750,000 cut to the Woodmere Art Museum, and $1.4 million cut from Unity Recovery.

I will continue to fight to protect rights and block rollbacks that would turn the clock back on decades of progress. Because here in the US I believe our government should focus on fighting to protect rights and freedoms– not take them away.

I’m deeply grateful to Congressman Evans, Senator Street, the incredible team at the Schuylkill Environmental Center for hosting us, and most of all, to every neighbor who showed up to be heard. My service is, and always will be, about you– not me.

Image: Photo of Congressman Evans answering a question from a constituent

If you have concerns about what’s happening in Washington, our office has put together a flyer with contact info for your federal reps. It’s a simple way to reach out — don’t hesitate to use it to tell your representatives what matters to you and your family.

Image: Graphic with contact information for federal representatives

Besides my bipartisan food donation bill (HB 615) last week, we passed other important bills through the House. 

That includes another bipartisan bill I wrote with Rep. Dougherty that increases the amount we invest in affordable housing by $10 million a year. This bill expands on my bill we got signed into law last year that increased the amount PA invests in affordable housing by $40 million a year. Our current bill will also help more Pennsylvanians get safe, affordable housing — without raising taxes 1 cent.

Image: Speaking in the Capitol recently in favor of giving homecare workers raises.

We also passed a bill to help fight the opioid crisis by requiring clear, accessible posters about overdose signs, emergency response steps, and where to find naloxone and treatment resources. I also voted to protect older adults from losing coverage for their prescription medication because they got a modest cost of living increase from Social Security.

Finally, I showed up for our veterans by passing a bill that will require employers to let workers who are vets know what benefits and services they are eligible for.

Image: With veterans at Gorgas Park’s Pearl Harbor Day Commemoration this December

I’m looking forward to heading back up on Monday to fight for more things that help people in our community. Government should work for you, not special interests and billionaires who don’t pay taxes like hard working taxpayers.

On Friday, I gathered with NewCourtland CEO Joe Duffey, Inglis CEO Dyann Roth, and so many community leaders to celebrate the ribbon-cutting for NewCourtland’s brand-new affordable housing development, The Tower at Henry Avenue.

Image: Rendering of the Top floor of the Tower at Henry with views of the Philly Skyline

This is great for our community for several reasons. First, it is inclusive housing— they worked with East Falls neighbors to get input to see what people wanted to see in their neighborhood. Second, instead of just building apartments that only a few can afford, they have market rate housing units (130 units) mixed in with affordable housing units (40 units). Those market rate housing units are not just 1 bedrooms designed for college kids– they have studios as small as 315 square feet to three bedrooms with over 2,000 square feet. And they also worked with Inglis [House] to ensure folks with disabilities have access to these units (20 fully accessible units)– and they had a say in their design.

Image: Speaking at the Opening of Tower on Henry

In that once abandoned Eastern Pennsylvania Psychiatric institution tower– which sat vacant for nearly as long as I’ve been alive– NewCourtland has renovated it into something beautiful and inclusive.

These NewCourtland folks are also good people. We hosted our turkey and gift distribution during the holidays at that site, several Shredder Days, and they are constantly looking to collaborate to serve our community better. 

Image: At our Turkey and Holiday Toy Distribution on December 22, 2024 with my Chief of Staff David Rivenbark, hosted at NewCourtland at 3200 Henry Ave in East Falls

This Tower is going to make a real difference for older adults and people with disabilities in our neighborhood — truly amazing, and something we can all be proud of for years to come.

For more information or to schedule a tour of The Tower at Henry, visit Tower at Henry website.

Image: At the ribbon cutting for NewCourtland Tower at Henry with Senator Vince Hughes. NewCourland CEO Joe Duffey and COO Max Kent hold the giant scissors.

I spoke with City & State Pennsylvania last week about the state of public health in our Commonwealth and across the country. I discussed what I saw during the pandemic working as a nurse on the frontlines, how that experience has shaped my work as a legislator. I also gave my take on how prepared we are for the next pandemic (spoiler: I don’t think we’re in a good spot).

Click on the image below to read the article.

Also, in the wake of the recent arson attack on the Governor’s Mansion, I wrote an OpEd for The Inquirer about the painful attack on my friend, Governor Josh Shapiro, and the importance of showing moral clarity during acts of political violence. I reflected on how our faiths inform our values and how the mission of peacemakers will always overcome the malice of arsonists.

Click on the image below to read the article. (If you can not open the link, please email reptarik@pahouse.net and we will email you the article).

Have a great end of the week!

Join us for the Annual Health & Wellness Fair hosted by Roxborough YMCA, NewCourtland, and the Roxborough Memorial Hospital School of Nursing!

🗓 Date: Thursday, May 1, 2025  

📍 Location: Roxborough YMCA, 7201 Ridge Ave, Philadelphia, PA  

⏰ Time: 9 a.m. to noon

Enjoy health resources, interactive workshops, and connect with wellness professionals. This is a fantastic opportunity to prioritize your well-being and gather valuable health information. Don't miss out!

To make voting more accessible, the Philadelphia City Commissioners have opened permanent Satellite Election Offices across the city—including one right here in the 4th Council District at:

📍 5610 Lancaster Ave, Unit 400, Philadelphia, PA 19131

Satellite Offices are a one-stop shop for secure and convenient voting — right in your neighborhood. You can also apply online at vote.pa.gov today. Make a plan, bring a friend, and get election-ready! 

Primary Election Day is Tuesday, May 20, 2025.

PennDOT is hosting special REAL ID service hours to help folks get ready for the federal REAL ID deadline on May 7, 2025.

Stop by on Monday, May 5th, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the West Oak Lane Driver License Center (7121 Ogontz Ave) to get your REAL ID!

Getting a REAL ID is optional, but starting in May 2025, you’ll need one—or another federally approved ID like a passport—to board domestic flights, enter military bases, or access certain federal buildings.

Questions about what to bring or how it works? Look to the flyer below or reach out to our office at (215) 482-8726 for more information. 

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

The next session is at the Chestnut Hill Library (8711 Germantown Avenue) on May 19th, 4 to 7 p.m. My staff will be there to support you.

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

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Pennsylvania State Capitol
121-A East Wing
Harrisburg, PA 17120
(717) 783-4945

District Office

4001 Main St., Suite 101
Philadelphia, PA 19127
(215) 482-8726