Dear Neighbor,

People are paying too much for gas, groceries, housing, childcare, healthcare and everyday necessities. At the same time, new technology and new industries are creating challenges that our laws haven’t caught up with yet.

That’s where a lot of my work is focused right now: lowering costs, protecting people, and making sure Pennsylvania’s rules keep pace with the world we actually live in.

And as antisemitism continues to rise, including here in our own city — as I witnessed last week— we also have a responsibility to stand up against hate and remember where it can lead. That’s why I’m especially honored to help host an evening with Holocaust survivor Raymond Polak September 15th, alongside my friend and colleague Mary Jo Daley.

In this issue, I’m also sharing updates on childcare costs, online gambling protections, going on the local networks to talk about Flock cameras, family farms, workers, and ways we’re showing up for our community. Plus join us Sunday at noon to help get Lankenau High School ready for students Monday am!

More below

Warm regards,

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IN THIS ISSUE:

✡️ Standing Against Antisemitism.
🦖 Putting Guardrails on FLOCK
⚡️ Holding Data Centers Accountable
✊ Standing With Penn Workers
👨‍👩‍👧 Helping You Pay for Childcare
🚜 Investing in Family Farms
🏛️ Big Ideas for PA O
🧹 Lankenau HS Clean Up Day
🎒 After-School Care at North Light
🪏 Last Word

✡️ Standing Against Antisemitism. Never Forget

As antisemitism continues to rise, I was deeply disturbed last week to see antisemitic graffiti on the YO/OY sculpture outside the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History, just blocks from Independence Hall.

People can criticize the Israeli government. But blaming Jewish people collectively for its actions is antisemitism. I reported the vandalism, and Action News covered the story.

Watch the 6ABC report here or by clicking on the image below.

That incident is also a reminder of why remembering the lessons of the Holocaust still matters.

On Tuesday, September 15, Rep. Mary Jo Daley and I are honored to welcome Holocaust survivor Raymond Polak to our community, in partnership with the Holocaust Awareness Museum and Education Center.

Image: Flyer for 9/15 Town Hall

Come hear Raymond share his story firsthand and help ensure these memories and lessons are never forgotten.

📅 Tuesday, September 15 | 6–8 PM
📍 Fallser Club, 3721 Midvale Ave., Philadelphia

✉️RSVP: reptarik@pahouse.net

🦖Putting Guiderails on Flock Cameras

We all remember what happened in Jurassic Park when powerful technology got ahead of the guardrails: the dinosaurs ate the tourists.

I joined Lauren Mayk on NBC10 @Issue to discuss Flock license plate readers, privacy, and the company’s new safeguards. They’re a positive step — but company policies aren’t a substitute for protections under Pennsylvania law.

Watch the interview here or by clicking on the image below:

Image: Photo of interview with NBC10’s Lauren Mayk

Our bipartisan legislation sets clear rules for who can access your data, what they can use it for, how long they can keep it, and what happens if it’s misused. I spoke with Good Day Philadelphia about this bill on Friday.

Watch my interview on Good Day Philadelphia by clicking here or the image below:

We can use technology to keep us safe and protect our privacy. I also spoke with Face the State about this Sunday morning.

Watch my interview with CBS21 by clicking here or below:

Image: Face the State interview

⚡Reining in Data Centers

Speaking of Big Tech, Pennsylvania is seeing a surge in proposed data centers, raising concerns about higher electricity costs, strained infrastructure, and impacts on our water and environment.

Gov. Shapiro’s new executive order puts strong guardrails in place, requiring local approval, making developers pay their own energy and infrastructure costs, and setting tougher community and environmental standards.

Image: Graphic summarizing Gov. Shapiro’s Executive Order on AI Data Centers

House Democrats have already passed bipartisan bills to protect ratepayers and give communities more control, but those measures remain stalled in the Senate.

Image: With Gov. Shapiro

Big Tech should not be able to shift the costs of these massive projects onto Pennsylvania families. If data centers want to operate here, they should have to play by our rules.

Helping You Pay for Childcare

Childcare can cost a Pennsylvania family with two young children more than $27,000 a year, forcing some parents to choose between working and staying home.

I’m working with Rep. La’Tasha D. Mayes, along with House Appropriations Chair Jordan Harris, on legislation to make Pennsylvania’s childcare tax credit better reflect what families actually pay.

Image: With Rep. La’Tasha D. Mayes

It’s one practical way we can put more money back in working families’ pockets and make it easier to afford to go to work.

🚜Invest in Family Farms, Not Just Big Ag

At Ag Progress Days, I met a Pennsylvania farmer who applied for an Agricultural Innovation Grant to invest in his farm but there simply wasn’t enough funding to go around.

That’s exactly why I’m working on legislation to nearly double Pennsylvania’s investment in Agricultural Innovation Grants, giving more family farmers the opportunity to modernize, grow, and stay competitive.

Our farmers are ready to invest in Pennsylvania. We should be ready to invest in them.

Watch video of my interview with a Pa. farmer about our bill by clicking here or the image below.

Image: Social media post with video on Ag. Innovation Grant funding

✊🏽Standing With Penn Workers

I was proud to stand with AFSCME District Council 47 food service and library workers at the University of Pennsylvania as they fight for a fair contract.

As a former Penn student, I’m incredibly grateful for the workers who fed us, kept our libraries running, and took care of us every day. Now it’s time to make sure they’re taken care of, too.

They’re asking for something basic: fair pay, respect, and the chance to build a good life.

The American Dream should be attainable for workers, not a pipe dream.

Image: With unionized dining hall and library workers at UPenn

Big Ideas for PA

On Tuesday, I hosted a policy roundtable with members of the House and House staff as we prepare for Policy Hearings in the fall.

We’re focusing on practical ways to protect Pennsylvanians, lower costs, and create more opportunity, including supporting vets, strengthening family farms, helping kids and families, and tackling affordability.

Image: In Pittsburgh with Reps. Kinkead, Salisbury and staff

🧹Lankenau HS Clean Up!

Join me THIS Sunday, August 23 from 12 – 3 PM at Lankenau High School, 201 Spring Lane, for a community clean-up day.

We’ll clean up the lawn and driveway, sort trash and recycling, and add sidewalk chalk welcome messages for students. All supplies are provided, and Lankenau students can earn community service hours.

Image: Flyer for Sunday’s clean-up at Lankenau HS

🎒Northlight After-School Care!

On Monday I stopped by North Light Community Center as they get ready for fall programming. KidZone now serves grades K–8, and spots are still available!

Image: At Northlight with staff

Families can learn more at North Light’s Open House next Tuesday August 25 from 5:30–7 PM at 175 Green Lane—meet the team, tour the center, and get help registering.

KidZone starts September 8.

Homework help, activities, meals, gym/playground time and more.

Learn more: northlightcc.org/kidzone

🪏Last Word

Thanks to Rachel for pulling over last night to help me cut back the weeds on Main Street. Neighbors pitching in together to make our community look great — that’s what it’s all about.

Image: On Main Street with Rachel

Have a great weekend!

Warm regards,

Tarik