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Dear Neighbor,
As we enter 2026, rest assured that my colleagues and I are fighting for priorities like housing affordability, a raise in the minimum wage and our environment, but also for basic human rights and decency in the face of a dangerous federal regime.
Even though it is a new year, we must continue these same fights. Please know that your protests, writing and nonviolent resistance are making a difference and inspire me as a lawmaker.
For our part, my Pennsylvania House colleagues and I will continue voting for women’s healthcare and abortion access when we return to legislative session in Harrisburg. As co-Chair of the General Assembly’s Women’s Health Caucus, it’s important to make clear our intention to codify the protections we once had under Roe.
Pennsylvania’s outdated Abortion Control Act is not responsibly protecting women in the commonwealth. In fact, the 1980s law is kept under Pennsylvania’s criminal code. It does absolutely nothing to promote the health of pregnant people.
In establishing itself, it imposes potentially deadly mandatory wait times for the procedure, requires third-party notifications, and forces pregnant women to read discomforting materials while navigating heartbreaking medical decisions.
The bottom line is that the law treats women like criminals from the moment they seek care, and that cannot stand in a modern society.
If you promise to keep using your voice, I will promise to continue to use mine – and my votes in Harrisburg – to help uplift women and enshrine the rights that should have been fundamental from the start. |
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Sincerely, |
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State Rep. Mary Jo Daley 148th Legislative District |
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In This Update:
• Office Closures for MLK Day • College Scholarship Opportunities for PA Students • Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit is New This Year • SNAP Update |
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Holiday Hours |
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Office Closures — Martin Luther King Jr. Day District Office Closure
My office will be closed on Monday, Jan. 19, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day and will reopen at 9 a.m. Tuesday.
Martin Luther King Day is a day for community service and intentional acts that support the needs of those most vulnerable. Take initiative this day. Sign up to volunteer with a local non-profit, senior centers, hospitals, food banks, park clean-ups and countless other events happening in our district. Below are a few organizations and groups you can volunteer with:
Global Citizen • The Giving Tree • Philly House • Cradles to Crayons • As We Rise Foundation • Main Line Animal Rescue • Simon’s Heart Foundation • Ronald McDonald House • Camp Erin • Project HOME • American Red Cross • Meals on Wheels |
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PennDOT Closures for MLK Holiday |
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The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation announced that all driver license and photo centers will be closed Saturday, Jan. 17, through Monday, Jan. 19 in observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday.
Online services remain available 24/7, including: • License and registration renewals
There are no additional fees for using online services. |
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Updates |
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College scholarship opportunities for PA students
To honor Pennsylvania’s long-standing commitment to education, the state commission planning America’s 250th anniversary will award $250,000 in scholarships to deserving Pennsylvania students attending in-state colleges next school year.
Any Pennsylvania high school senior planning to attend a PA college for 2026–27 is eligible to apply. Twenty-five scholarships of $10,000 each will be awarded by the America250PA commission.
Applications are due Jan. 31. More details can be found here.
Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit is new this year
In other news, I’m proud to have voted to pass the Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit.
This year, when you file your taxes, this tax credit will put money back in your return.
When you file your federal and state taxes, the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue will automatically calculate the state credit. Anyone who qualifies for the federal Earned Income Tax Credit will now automatically qualify for the state credit, helping reduce taxes owed. |
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Internship & Fellowship Opportunities |
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Rep. Daley Spring 2026 District Internship
Our office is seeking a Spring intern for our Merion Station district office. We are excited to open this opportunity up to college students and young adults in our district.
This is an excellent opportunity for students to gain hands-on experience working in a state legislative office and to learn more about the policymaking process and community engagement.
Details:
How to Apply: |
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PA House Legislative Fellowship — Summer 2026
Applications are now open for the PA House Legislative Fellowship Program in Harrisburg.
Program Dates: June 4 – August 6, 2026 Fellows work in House committees or leadership offices, receive compensation (and possibly college credit), and gain hands-on legislative experience. Eligibility:
Learn more: www.pahousefellowship.us Submit applications to: pahousefellowship@pabmc.net. |
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Upcoming Events |
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Satellite Office Hours — Whitemarsh Wednesday, January 21, 2026
Join us at the Whitemarsh Township building every third Wednesday of the month to meet with my district staff and handle many state-level services. We hope to see you there!
Get help with: |
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Announcements |
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Message on Scams Scams are increasingly sophisticated and may come through phone calls, texts, emails, social media, or fake job postings. Scammers often impersonate government agencies, banks, or employers.
Protect yourself by:
You can reduce telemarketing calls by registering for Pennsylvania’s Do Not Call List.
Registering for Pennsylvania’s “Do Not Call” list can reduce legitimate telemarketing calls, making scam calls easier to identify. If you encounter a scam, report it to the Federal Trade Commission. Reporting helps track scams, warn others and protect consumers statewide. |
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PA launches SNAP tool for new work requirements
The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services has introduced a new feature on PA Navigate to help SNAP recipients find volunteer opportunities in their communities and comply with federal work and reporting requirements.
Under new federal rules, certain SNAP participants must work, volunteer or engage in education/training for at least 20 hours per week to maintain benefits. PA Navigate now allows recipients to search for local volunteer roles, connect with organizations and track hours to stay eligible.
SNAP recipients can visit pa-navigate.org to find volunteer opportunities and learn how to report their hours. |
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Veterans Multi-Service Center serves those who served
The Veterans Multi-Service Center here in Southeast PA operates to “serve those who served” our nation, our Veterans.
The VMC's mission is to provide services, programs, opportunity and advancement to Veterans of the U.S. military and their families.
Learn more about their services here. |
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Available Programs |
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Pennie Enrollment is still open
The open enrollment period for Pennie, the state’s health insurance marketplace, is now open until Jan. 31. Shop for plans and enroll in high-quality health coverage at pennie.com.
Please note that due to federal law, Pennie expects changes that impact the cost of health coverage as well as other enrollment requirements. Learn more about those changes here.
If you have questions or need help enrolling, visit Pennie.com/connect or call the Pennie Customer Service Center at 1-844-844-8040. |
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Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program — opened January 15
The Pa. Department of Revenue's Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program application period is now open. The department is now accepting applications for rebates on property taxes or rent paid in 2025.
Homeowners and renters in Pennsylvania may be eligible to receive up to $1,000 through a standard rebate. The amount of money you will receive is based on your income. Some applicants may qualify for supplemental rebates as well.
Applications are scheduled to close June 30. Apply online at PA Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program.
My office can also help you apply. |
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Fishing licenses, permits, gift vouchers now available
2026 fishing licenses and permits can be purchased at HuntFish.pa.gov or local retailers.
Licenses purchased now are valid through December 31, 2026. |
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LIHEAP heating assistance — now open
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps families living on low incomes pay their heating bills in the form of a cash grant. Households in immediate danger of being without heat can also qualify for crisis grants.
The 2025–26 LIHEAP season runs through April 10, 2026.
Grants range from $200 to $1,000 and are paid directly to utility providers.
Apply via COMPASS or submit paper applications using this form to:
LIHEAP Hotline: 1-866-857-7095 |
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PA 529: An easy gift for education
Pennsylvania has a convenient new way to help families save for education. Through a partnership with Gift of College, friends and relatives can now purchase digital gift cards that recipients can deposit directly into their PA 529 College and Career Savings Program accounts – no need to know whether an account already exists.
Gift cards are available at pa529.com/gift. |
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Available Grants |
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It is important that the 148th Legislative District receives the funding support it needs for public and non-profit services year-round. Below are a few grants available with application deadlines in November.
Please feel free to share this information with an entity, organization, or local group you know that may be interested in applying. Our office can assist you in this process and connecting with other government agencies.
Grant Opportunities
Funding is available to support municipalities, nonprofits, schools, small businesses, and veterans organizations. My office can help connect applicants to agencies and guide the process.
Highlighted grants include: Who May Apply: Municipalities, economic development organizations, redevelopment authorities, municipal authorities, industrial development agencies, and for-profit organizations. Use: To develop competitive sites for businesses to relocate or expand within Pennsylvania. Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and approved on a quarterly basis
Who May Apply: Technical and trade schools, school districts, post-secondary academic institutions, workforce investment boards, economic development organizations, and non-profit organizations. For-profit entities are not eligible. Use: Projects must focus on the development and deployment of workforce training programs for individuals with barriers to employment, engage youth or those with barriers in awareness building activities of manufacturing career opportunities, and advance capacity for local or regional manufacturers to meet the needs of local and regional manufacturers that cannot be met through existing programs such as WEDnet and Industry Partnerships. Application Deadline: Applications will be accepted and evaluated on an ongoing basis as long as funds remain available. Who May Apply: Businesses, Municipalities, Municipal Authorities, Redevelopment Authorities, Industrial Development Authorities or Corporations, Local Development Districts. Use: Machinery/equipment; Job training; Infrastructure; Land and building improvements; Environmental assessment/remediation; Acquisition of land, buildings, right-of-ways; Working capital; Site preparation. Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Who May Apply: This noncompetitive, formula-based solicitation is specifically for eligible school entities as defined under 24 P.S. §13-1314.2-B of the PA Public School Code (i.e., a school district, area career and technical school, intermediate unit, charter school, regional charter school, and cyber charter school) Use: To support physical security enhancements and/or mental health initiatives at schools. Application Deadline: January 28, 2026
Who May Apply: Community Development Corporations, economic development organizations and redevelopment authorities, business improvement districts/neighborhood improvement districts, non-profit organizations with a 501(c) designation, the City of Philadelphia, the School District of Philadelphia. Any eligible organization must be located in Philadelphia. Use: Economic development projects, neighborhood revitalization projects, community improvement projects, projects in the public interest. Any eligible project must be located in Philadelphia. Application Deadline: January 31, 2026
Who May Apply: The American Legion, AMVETS, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, and Disabled American Veterans
Who May Apply: Local governments, historic preservation organizations, historical societies, conservancies, colleges and universities, religious institutions, museums, and other historical organizations. Historic property must be publicly accessible and listed in, or documented as eligible for listing in, the National Register of Historic Places. Private property owners and businesses are not eligible. Use: To support projects that identify, preserve, promote and protect historic and archaeological resources of Pennsylvania for both the benefit of the public and the revitalization of communities. Application Deadline: March 2, 2026, or whenever funds are exhausted.
Who May Apply: Pennsylvania-based small businesses Use: Adopt processes or acquire equipment which results in energy efficiency, pollution prevention, and natural resource protection. Application Deadline: March 13, 2026, or whenever funds are exhausted.
Please contact my office if your organization may benefit.
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Pennsylvania State Capitol 225 Irvis Office Building Harrisburg, PA 17120 (717) 787-9475 |
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District Office 312 Old Lancaster Rd. (610) 832-1679 |
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