Dear Neighbor,

Late last week, Washington passed their “big budget bill.” Their bill gives massive tax breaks for multimillionaires and billionaires.

Washington makes these big tax breaks by throwing over 300,000 Pennsylvanians off their health insurance and snatching SNAP benefits from 140,000. The bill also increases the US national debt by $3.3 trillion, as cutting the safety net alone was insufficient to cover the tax cuts for the ultra-wealthy.

Image: Graphic of health care impact of Washington’s big budget bill. Source: LG Austin Davis.

To get a sense of how much debt these millionaire tax cuts will cost us, if you were to stack $1 bills from the ground, $3.3 trillion would nearly reach the moon.

Image: Dollar bills stacked up from the earth to the moon. Astronaut looking on. Image AI generated.

While hardworking taxpayers and struggling families will lose access to food assistance and the safety net, community hospitals like Roxborough and Chestnut Hill will have to foot the bill for people with hospital bills who are unable to pay for their medical care. This puts our community hospitals at risk for closing.

While we will still pay essentially the same amount in federal taxes, the state cannot backfill these devastating cuts to our neighbors. Tomorrow night, we will discuss how state and federal budget choices impact our neighborhood.

Our community forum will take place tomorrow (Tuesday, July 8th) from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at William Penn Charter School (3000 School House Lane — Graham Athletics Building). We will also have a staff member from Congressman Dwight Evans’ office to discuss the federal perspective.

Gov. Shapiro signs my Food Donation Bill!

As Washington takes food stamps away from hungry Pennsylvanians, I am proud I was able to work across the aisle to pass a helpful law that will help hundreds of thousands of families in PA dealing with food insecurity.

Our vital legislation will reduce food waste and ensure that safer, excess food reaches Pennsylvanians who need it most.

My bill, coprime sponsored by my friend and colleague Rep Tim Jones (R- Lebanon and Lancaster) provides more straightforward guidelines and protections for food donations for items past their "best by" dates (which are freshness markers, not expiration dates) — we're removing barriers that keep perfectly good food from those who could use it.

The passage of HB 615 into law is a strong testament to the collaborative efforts across party lines; it received overwhelming support, passing unanimously through both the House and Senate. Together, we are taking significant steps toward addressing food insecurity in Pennsylvania, especially as over 1.2 million residents, including more than 325,000 children, struggle with hunger.

It's a low-cost, high-impact solution that benefits families, nonprofit organizations, and the environment — all while strengthening our community. For more insights into this bill's journey and its implications, check out the video below.

Image: Still image from my video on the final passage of HB 615.

Ongoing AFSCME DC 33 Strike Update

Over the last week, I’ve been honored to stand in solidarity with workers from DC33, many of whom are from our neighborhood.

Image: With striking DC 33 Fleet Management workers, Local 1927.

In a time of rising inflation and high prices, union members are fighting for fair wages, better working conditions, and respect in the workplace.

Click here or on the image below to watch a video of me at the picket

Image: At the picket at the Queen Lane Water Treatment Facility in East Falls.

I’m grateful for DC33 workers, who are among our most dedicated and underappreciated civil servants. A win for DC33 is a win for Philadelphia because it means we are investing in the people who make this city run! I’m hopeful that they will get a fair deal soon.

Image: Screenshot of social media post about DC 33 strike efforts with local workers.

Congrats Chestnut Hill Hospital Nurses & Techs!

ICYMI, workers at Chestnut Hill ratified their first union contract for nurses and technicians in a deal with Temple University Hospital Chestnut Hill. Heartfelt congratulations to the dedicated nurses and technicians from the Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals (PASNAP) on their win!

Image: Talking to nurses & techs at an informational picket at Chestnut Hill Hospital in December 2024.

This agreement is a testament to the unwavering commitment and resilience of our nurses at Chestnut Hill Hospital, as well as to the strength and effectiveness of the PASNAP union. The determination of the workers and their union to advocate for fair working conditions and improved patient care truly showcases the high standards we strive for in our health care system.

The deal not only secures better wages and working conditions for our nurses but also underscores the vital role they play in delivering high-quality care to our community. I appreciate the efforts made by hospital leadership, particularly CHH’s outstanding President Rich Newell, in reaching this resolution, demonstrating that open dialogue and collaboration can yield positive outcomes for everyone involved.

To read more about the contract, you can find a link to the Chestnut Hill Local Article by clicking on the image below.

Image: Front Page of the Chestnut Hill Local article about Chestnut Hill Hospital coming to a fair contract with PASNAP workers.

Hope you had an enjoyable 4th of July weekend! Hope to see you tomorrow (Tuesday) night at our community forum in East Falls!

Image: With Cheryl, Peter, Captain Kimrey and Fury at the Annual St. John’s the Baptist Independence Day Parade.

All my best,