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Hi Folks,

We hope this July edition of District Deliberations finds you all doing well. This July was a memorable one in so many ways. Our region proudly hosted the All-Star Game, World Cup soccer matches, the 250th birthday of our great nation, and, in a somewhat timely fashion, a state budget.

Although there is still much more work to be done, I am pleased to say that this budget strives to make life more affordable for our workers, strengthens our communities, and creates opportunities for the future.

This budget helps workers and their families keep more of what they earn through tax relief while making housing, utilities, and back-to-school shopping more affordable. It also provides our retired teachers, police officers, and firefighters with a long-overdue raise and funds historic increases in medical assistance programs. By investing in education, affordability, public safety, and economic opportunity, we are delivering results that improve everyday life for every Pennsylvanian — all without raising taxes.

Truthfully, many challenges remain that we must address, including properly funding public transportation and raising the revenue needed to meet the ever-increasing demands of our Commonwealth in the face of significant federal cuts. We can accomplish this if we remain steadfast and smart. As we celebrate our 250th birthday, I am reminded of the words of Justice Thurgood Marshall, who said, “Where you see wrong or inequality or injustice, speak out, because this is your country. This is your democracy. Make it. Protect it. Pass it on.”

With that in mind, my colleagues and I are not looking back; instead, we are looking ahead and rolling up our sleeves to continue fighting for fair and responsible funding for every Pennsylvania worker and their families. We will continue advocating for legislation that puts working people first rather than prioritizing corporate America. It is time to regulate and tax skill games, close corporate net income loopholes, tax big tech digital ads, end tax exemptions for data centers, and take additional steps to create a fairer system. We look forward to this fight and hope for your support.

This issue of District Deliberations also features my latest legislative highlights, including measures recently signed into law by Gov. Shapiro:

House Bill 96 — “Helping Seniors Stay in Their Homes” creates an option for older adults and incapacitated individuals to designate someone to receive notice when their property taxes become delinquent and their property is at risk of a sheriff’s sale.

House Bill 1102 — “Expanding PA National Guard Partial Tuition Reimbursement Program” helps address critical shortages in our forces by expanding the partial tuition reimbursement program to cover enlistment in the National Guard by U.S. Army JAG officers, chaplains, and medical officers.

Also passing the House is my House Bill 95 — “A.I. Transparency in Advertising Act,” which requires that if artificial intelligence is used, consumers must be informed during the sale and purchase of consumer goods.

Our hometown heroes this month are legal legend and first Public Defender Nathan Schenker, recognized for his many years of service and well-deserved retirement; and all Pre-Act 9 retired police officers, firefighters, teachers, and government workers who spent their careers protecting our health, safety, and welfare and who have finally received a long-overdue COLA increase.

Additionally, we celebrate our recently awarded $800,254 grant to the Goshen Fire Department, along with more budget highlights supporting our workers, seniors, and students. Finally, of course, we share the wise words of wisdom from our official mascot, Penny the Pup.

Folks, as always, we thank you for the opportunity to serve you and look forward to addressing any questions or concerns you may have. Until our next issue, stay well, stay safe, and stay strong.

PA Representative Christopher Pielli's signature image

Chris Pielli
Pennsylvania State Representative House District 156

Two of My Bills Recently Signed into Law by Governor Shapiro

Earlier this month, my legislation – House Bill 96 and House Bill 1102 – was signed into law by Governor Shapiro.

House Bill 96- Helping Seniors Stay in Their Homes

House Bill 96 — now Act 27 of 2026 — helps vulnerable individuals remain in their homes by creating an option for older adults and incapacitated individuals to designate someone to receive notice when their property taxes become delinquent and their property is at risk of a sheriff’s sale.

As a former court-appointed guardianship attorney, I witnessed clients lose their homes because of unpaid property taxes. Too often, these were individuals with cognitive impairments or other conditions that left them unable to manage their financial responsibilities without assistance. Tragically, some of these individuals had the financial means to pay their bills but were unable to keep up with payments due to their circumstances. It is simply unfair to leave these vulnerable individuals to navigate these challenges alone.

My bill helps prevent overdue tax payments for those who may be experiencing conditions that hinder their ability to regularly manage their bills. I thank my colleagues in both the state House and state Senate for their unanimous support of this important legislation.

House Bill 1102 – Expanding PA National Guard Partial Tuition Reimbursement Program

As an Army veteran, I am especially proud that HB 1102 has now been signed into law by Governor Shapiro as Act 30 of 2026 after passing unanimously in both the PA House and Senate. To help address critical shortages in our forces, this law expands the partial tuition reimbursement program to include enlistment in the National Guard by U.S. Army JAG officers and chaplains, while also refining the current list of eligible medical and health officers. This incentive program will help address significant shortages in these fields by providing a tiered reimbursement structure based on educational attainment, helping offset the costs of the advanced academic credentials required to serve in these important roles.

This new law will strengthen recruitment efforts to support both our Commonwealth’s interests and our national security. I am proud to have worked with state Sen. Hutchinson on this legislation and thank my colleagues and Governor Shapiro for their support in helping keep our National Guard strong.

Read My Press Release HERE: Pielli’s bill to incentivize National Guard enlistment is now law

Hometown Heroes

This July, our Hometown Heroes are Nathan Shenker, retiring Chief Public Defender for Chester County, and our retired teachers, firefighters, and police officers.

Nathan Shenker, Retiring Chief Public Defender for Chester County District Attorney’s Office

This month, our individual Hometown Hero is Nathan Shenker, Chief Public Defender who has retired after 40 years of service to Chester County.

Nathan began his career with the Chester County Public Defender’s Office 40 years ago and represented thousands of clients throughout his distinguished career. He became First Assistant Public Defender in 2005 and was appointed Chief Public Defender in 2020. During the pandemic, Nathan continued reporting to the Justice Center every day, working closely with the District Attorney’s Office and Adult Probation to help reduce the prison population while protecting the community.

Notably, Nathan was an early advocate for Chester County’s highly successful treatment courts and continued working closely with all departments to help maintain their success. His efforts strengthened relationships throughout the Chester County Justice Center and improved outcomes for the individuals served. Nathan mentored countless attorneys and staff members, including myself, throughout the years. In addition to his service to Chester County, Nathan is a dedicated husband, father, and grandfather. He is also actively involved in community organizations, including Canine Partners for Life, the Lions Club, Camp Dreamcatcher, and his synagogue, Beth Chaim.

Nathan Shenker's commitment to equal justice, rehabilitation, and service to an often-underserved community is commendable and serves as a remarkable role model for not just the public defenders he worked with, but to the entire West Chester community. My sincere congratulations to Nathan on his retirement and as this month’s Hometown Hero!

This month, our Hometown Heroes are also the retired teachers, firefighters, and police officers who’ve served in our district and across Pennsylvania – all of whom received a long overdue Cost of Living Adjustment through this year’s budget process.

This month's group of hometown heroes is our Public Service Retirees because they were always there for us. For the first time in over two decades, 80,000 retired police officers, firefighters, and teachers will be receiving a long overdue Cost of Living Adjustment to their pensions. This is something that the Democratic Caucus and I have been working on for years since the introduction of House Bill 1379 in 2024 – Watch my House floor speech from 2024 HERE.

We stuck with it because these public servants stuck with us day in and day out during their careers to protect us and teach us. They deserve to be secure in their retirement. It’s a budget win, it’s a moral win, and it’s a win for Pennsylvania!

My House Bill 95 Passed the House – A.I. Transparency in Advertising Act

IF IT’S AI, IT HAS TO SAY IT’S AI!

House Bill 95, which requires advertisers to label AI-generated advertisements, has passed the State House with bipartisan support. The premise of this bill is simple: if it is created by artificial intelligence, it must be clearly identified as AI during the sale and advertising of consumer goods. We must protect Pennsylvanians from scams, misinformation, and the harmful misuse of artificial intelligence. This is the second time this important legislation has passed the House, only to remain stalled in the Senate. Please join me in urging GOP Senate leadership to bring this bill up for a vote and help protect consumers from AI-driven deception.

Contact Senator Pittman and Senator Ward

Goshen Fire Company Receives $800K State Grant

I'm proud to announce an $800,254 grant to Goshen Fire Company through the PA Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program - which I supported along with State Representative Kristine Howard and State Senator Carolyn Comitta. Our firefighters put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe. As the son of an FDNY firefighter, I feel strongly that we owe it to these everyday heroes to give them the support they need to continue their mission.

The grant will fund construction of an apparatus bay, including construction, renovation, replacement of end-of-life building components, renovation of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems, and parking improvements. When our state dollars are going back to our first responders, that’s responsible government at work helping to protect the health, safety, and welfare of our residents.

Read my Press Release HERE: https://www.pahouse.com/Pielli/InTheNews/NewsRelease/?id=144467

2026-27 STATE BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS

The recently passed 2026-27 budget prioritizes affordability for everyday Pennsylvanians. Through the Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit, nearly $217 million is going back into the pockets of nearly 900,000 working families this year alone.

Affordability is ultimately about stability. It means knowing you can remain in your home, pay your bills, care for your family, and plan your future. The 2026-27 budget will turn affordability into a reality for many hardworking Pennsylvanians.

This month, I had a great time visiting our Seniors at the West Chester Senior Center to spread the word about our Big Budget Wins Supporting our Seniors to include:

Long overdue COLA increases for our retired Teachers, Firefighters, Police, and State Government Employees.
My House Bill 96 signed into law by Governor Shapiro to help protect vulnerable Seniors to stay in their Home.
Helping Seniors Prescription Costs with a 3.3% PACE & PACENET funding increase.
$615.2 million or 7% increase, for MA managed care program.
$182 million for Living Independence for the Elderly (LIFE) Program.

All without Raising Your Taxes!

School Budget Wins

The recently passed 2026-27 budget prioritizes public education for all students across the state with historic increases of $50 million for Basic Education Funding, $50 million for Special Education, and more. I’m proud to announce that the West Chester Area School District received a $217,000 (or 1.1%) increase in state funding – ALL WITHOUT RAISING YOUR TAXES!

Now, the total annual investment in WCASD is $20.3 million. Our children deserve the best education possible, and we will continue fighting for them as long as we remain the majority party in the PA House.

Q: I’ve heard that PA residents 65 and older can obtain a SEPTA Senior Fare Card to ride all trains, buses, and trolley for free. How can I get one?

A: That’s easy! -- Please contact my district office staff, who can help you apply for the first time at the office – OR – renew your expiring SEPTA Senior Fare Card over the phone.

To apply, you’ll need a photo ID showing your birthdate. The ID need not be current, so you could bring an expired Driver’s License, for example.

Bring your ID to our office, we’ll gather some contact information and take your photo, then it’ll be mailed to you in about 4-6 weeks directly from SEPTA. It takes about 5 minutes to complete the application with a staff member at the district office. Renewals over the phone are even faster.

My district office staff is happy to help answer questions and facilitate the application. Please call (610) 696-4990; email RepPielli@pahouse.net; or stop by 121 West Miner Street, Suite 1E, West Chester Borough. We’re open Monday-Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm.