|
Hello Neighbors, Community Members and Friends,
|
|
I hope that your summer is going safely this year! From the extreme heat to food recalls, there have been many challenges.
Visit the National Weather Service to stay ahead of storms in NOAA’s Philadelphia region. To follow food recalls in Pennsylvania, monitor the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, check the Pa. Department of Agriculture, and sign up for store email alerts.
I’d also like to share that my bill improving post-stillbirth paperwork was signed into law by Gov. Josh Shapiro this week.
Act 34 of 2026 now goes into effect to help improve the process of filing fetal death paperwork for families who experience loss during a midwife-led birth.
Under the new law, if a death certificate is needed and no qualifying professional is present during the delivery, the case must be referred to the county coroner for investigation. Act 34 adds midwives to the list of qualifying professionals alongside physicians, certified nurse practitioners and physician assistants.
You can rewatch my summary and remarks when my bill behind the act passed the House in March. Act 34 is part of the PA Black Maternal Health Caucus’s PA MOMNIBUS, a comprehensive legislative package designed to confront the commonwealth’s persistently high rates of Black maternal mortality and morbidity through bold, evidence-based policy solutions. It is now the fourth PA MOMNIBUS bill signed into law since the caucus launched the initiative in 2024.
|
In other state legislative news, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives held voting session this Thursday to consider a bill that would deliver substantial justice reform in the commonwealth.
The unexpected vote was in response to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s decision in Commonwealth v. Lee – to reform second-degree murder sentencing while advancing additional criminal justice reforms focused on rehabilitation, accountability and fairness. Lee rightfully ruled that mandatory “life without parole” sentencing violates our human rights under the constitution of Pennsylvania.
Under the bill, which had one Republican vote, the automatic life-without-parole sentence for second-degree murder would be replaced with sentencing that considers an offender’s specific role and level of culpability. Individuals convicted of second-degree murder who received a life sentence also would become eligible to petition for parole consideration after serving 30 years.
House Bill 1042 faces an uphill future in the Republican run state Senate, but I’ll remain hopeful that bipartisan cooperation gives way to progress.
2026-27 State Budget Delivers More Wins
I have more good news to share about the recently enacted state budget – it really goes to work for those who need help and resources most. A budget reveals the priorities of your government, and Pennsylvania’s continues to invest in the areas that provide the most good.
The 2026-27 state budget also boosts the services Pennsylvanians rely on:
- $9.4 billion for Medical Assistance Managed Care
- $2.8 billion for Intellectual Disabilities Community Waiver Programs
- $979.8 million for Mental Health Services
- Increased funding for CHIP
- A 98.6% funding increase for Rape Crisis Programs
- Investments in services for Pennsylvanians who are blind or visually impaired
- Modernization of SNAP benefit cards
We also protected our state’s Rainy-Day Fund (a savings account that is for budgeting under emergencies) without raising taxes. This shows we can be responsible with taxpayer money while still adequately investing in people and communities.
I was proud to vote for a budget that delivers so much for our communities and state programs.
In service,
|
|
July 21 was Black Women Equal Pay Day
|
The wage gap faced by Black women can accumulate to nearly $1 million in lost earnings, compared to white men – this wage gap is real, and it’s unacceptable. Equality isn’t just about access to programs and services, it’s also about fair pay and equal wages.
|
On Wednesday, I attended The Backstage's one-year anniversary with Mayor Magda Bryne and Council President Jessica Pointer from Lansdowne. We continue to support small business and community development in the 164th Legislative District!
|
|
Thank You to the 2026 Youth Legislative Council
|
We concluded our summer 2026 Youth Legislative Council with an in-depth conversation about legislative priorities for the PA Black Maternal Health Caucus. We thank the students and parents for their involvement and for making this year's Youth Council a success.
|
|
Helping Families Get Ready for Back-to-School
|
We had to reschedule the previously noted August 4 dates for our annual Back to School Resource Fair! These events will now take place on August 3rd, 5th, and 6th.
Mark your calendars because supplies are first come, first served. Children MUST be present to receive supplies!
|
|
Lost Food During a Power Outage?
You May Qualify for Replacement SNAP Benefits
|
Did you lose food purchased with SNAP because of a power outage, fire, or other household misfortune? You may qualify for replacement SNAP benefits.
To be eligible, you must report the loss and apply within 10 days of the disaster. Contact your local County Assistance Office or call the Statewide Customer Service Center at
1-877-395-8930 to begin the process.
You can learn more, find your local CAO, and access the required forms by visiting www.dhs.pa.gov/SNAP. If you have questions or need help navigating the process, my office is always here to assist.
|
|
More Financial Aid Opportunities for Students and Future Workers
|
Are you or someone you know a first-time student planning on community college or trade school? Get your FAFSA in by August 1 to be considered for a 2026-27 PA State Grant.
Apply here.
Students who have already submitted their FAFSA® and completed the PA State Grant process may now be able to view a provisional PA State Grant award in GrantUS.
While final eligibility and award amounts are determined later, reviewing your provisional award can give you an early look at anticipated financial aid amounts for the upcoming academic year.
Sign in and review your status at grantus.pheaa.org.
|
Thursday, July 30 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
STEMFest Philly
Vare Recreation Center
2061 Moore St., Philadelphia
Visit www.stemlinx.net for more information
|
Saturday, August 15 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
DHCD Back to School Fair
Delaware County Wellness Center
125 Chester Ave., Yeadon
Registration is required for free backpacks, vaccines, and physicals.
Register here.
To schedule a free physical, call 484-276-2100
|
Thursday, September 24 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
DCHD Rally for Recovery
Governor Printz Park
W. 2nd St. & Taylor Ave, Essington
|
Pennsylvania State Capitol
111 Irvis Office Building
Harrisburg, PA 17120
(717) 783-4907
|
District Office
1500 Garrett Rd.
Upper Darby, PA 19082
(610) 259-7016
|
Want to stay up to date on all my happenings in Harrisburg, the 164th Legislative District and beyond? Or do you want to get the latest info on our events and office hours? Make sure to follow me on all my social pages using the icons below!
|
|
.jpg)
.png)
