|
|
Dear Neighbor,
The June 30 deadline to pass a state budget has come and gone, and once again Pennsylvania is without an on-time budget. Senate Republicans made the intentional choice to adjourn on Tuesday afternoon, without completing the task. Budget season began months ago when Governor Shapiro delivered his Budget Address on February 3 and formally set the work in motion. On April 14, House lawmakers passed a General Appropriations bill with bipartisan support, moving a responsible budget vehicle to the Senate to begin the process of negotiating a final plan. The House did its job. We acted early, we acted seriously, and we acted in good faith. Senate Leader Joe Pittman called for the Senate to recess on June 30 without sending a budget proposal back to the House, and 27 senators voted in agreement.
This is the fifth year in a row that Senate leadership has disrespected the democratic process and the constituents they represent across Pennsylvania by dodging their responsibility to deliberate on a timely budget. At this point, it’s a predictable, repeat pattern, and no one is buying it. Delay, avoid responsibility, and then scramble at the last minute with proposals that cannot get 26 votes in the Senate, let alone 102 in the House. In the meantime, Pennsylvanians are counting on us to deliver a budget that funds schools, supports working families, strengthens public safety, and keeps our communities moving forward.
We are days away from celebrating our nation's semiquincentennial, a moment to honor the fight for our independence that built the institutions we rely on today. Our nation’s Founders did not agree on everything, but they understood the moment they were living in and created a framework that put our nation on a path to independence. In this moment, Pennsylvanians do not want to see partisan games. They want leaders who lead. Yet we have a Senate Majority Leader who refuses to engage in good faith to achieve consensus even in his own party, which holds a majority in the Senate. Instead of choosing partnership, he is once again choosing partisanship.
Pennsylvanians deserve better than this pattern of intentional inaction and repeated dereliction of duty.
House and Senate Democrats stand united and ready to do our jobs. The House currently stands at a six-hour call of the Chair, ready to return at any time to consider a budget proposal from Senate leadership.
Protecting the Waters of the Commonwealth
This week, I introduced the Pennsylvania Water Resource Act (HB 2682), which would assess a fee on extraordinary water users like data center operators, with higher fees for consumptive uses like evaporative cooling, where the water withdrawn is never returned to the source. The fees collected would be used for the protection, conservation, and remediation of our watersheds and freshwater sources. My bill is a modernization of legislation first introduced by my former colleague Rep. Michael Sturla of Lancaster, who retired from the legislature in 2024.
This legislation would be one more piece of the puzzle we need to complete to protect the waters of our commonwealth, protect the interests of water ratepayers in Pennsylvania, and uphold the fundamental right to pure water guaranteed under Article 1, Section 27 of the Pennsylvania Constitution.
For more on what we need to do to finish the job and protect our water, read the seventh and final installment of my Your Water, Your Bill, Your Rights series on Substack. |
|
|
What are Municipal Curative Amendments? Helping Communities Protect Themselves
Communities across Pennsylvania are working hard to understand what tools they have to protect themselves as large‑scale data center proposals continue to emerge. PennFuture's short video on Municipal Curative Amendments explains when and how this procedural tool can be used to respond to development pressures -- and also looks at scenarios where existing tools fall short in their ability to protect municipalities.
The PA House has taken action to help municipalities across the commonwealth in situations where the Municipal Curative Amendment may not be a workable option. HB 2496, introduced by Rep. Paul Friel, addresses the limitations of the curative amendment procedure, giving every municipality the option to place a 180‑day pause on new data center applications while they develop the ordinances and protections their community needs. This is a practical, commonsense step that gives local leaders the time and space to make informed decisions.
This bill passed the House last week with overwhelming bipartisan support, by a vote of 201–1, and it was reported unanimously out of Senate Local Government Committee this week. Senate leadership will now determine whether to run it on the Senate floor and give municipalities a solid and straightforward means of protecting their communities.
Good Neighbor Day
Downingtown Borough’s annual Good Neighbor Day celebration will be held this Saturday, July 4, in Kerr Park. Come out to enjoy a full day of activities for the whole family, culminating in a highly anticipated fireworks display, with all proceeds from the event benefiting the ambulance and rescue squads serving the Downingtown Area School District.
You may have heard that this year’s fireworks will be launched from a new location to protect the family of bald eagles nesting in Kerr Park. It’s important to know that the viewing location remains the same; only the launch point has changed.
For more information, visit the official Good Neighbor Day website, and follow the Downingtown Municipal Government social media accounts for updates.
America 250: The Semiquincentennial
As we officially recognize America’s Semiquincentennial this weekend, we are reminded that the promise of our democracy is not automatic. It requires care, commitment, and participation. President Barack Obama captured this truth when he said, “America is a constant work in progress. What gives each new generation purpose is to take up the unfinished work of the last and carry it further.” That work belongs to all of us. It belongs to every community, every family, and every person who believes in a future grounded in fairness, opportunity, and shared responsibility.
Independence Day is more than a celebration of our past. It is a call to continue the work of strengthening our democracy, protecting our freedoms, and building a more compassionate and united nation.
Whether you are headed to the shore or the mountains, gathering with friends, or enjoying a quiet day at home, I hope you and your family have a safe, healthy, and meaningful Independence Day. May we honor this milestone year by recommitting ourselves to the unfinished work of building a better future for all. |
|
|
|
|
Please contact my district office at repotten@pahouse.net if you have questions or would like to share your thoughts on any legislative or state-related issue. |
|
|
|
Celebrate Summer and the Semiquincentennial in Chester County
This summer provides an opportunity for our community to take part in America’s Semiquincentennial, a milestone that will bring international attention to our region. With major events like the MLB All-Star Game and the FIFA World Cup coming to Pennsylvania, visitors from around the world will get a glimpse of what makes Southeastern Pennsylvania such a remarkable place to live. Beyond the excitement of these events, our corner of the state stands out for its mix of history, natural beauty, and vibrant local communities. If you are looking for some ideas close to home, the Brandywine Valley website is a great place to start.
We are fortunate to live in an area where the story of our nation is still visible in the landscape around us. The fields and roads near the Battle of the Brandywine, the trails at Valley Forge, and the historic sites just outside Philadelphia remind us how much of America’s early history unfolded right here. The Semiquincentennial offers a meaningful opportunity to reconnect with that legacy and explore the places that helped shape our country. You can find events and resources through America250PA and America250Chesco.
There is so much to see and experience across our region, and summer is the perfect time to get out and enjoy it. |
|
|
|
|
Property Tax/Rent Rebate Application Period Extended
The 2026 Property Tax/Rent Rebate Application Period has been extended through December 31, 2026. Rebates on property taxes or rent paid in 2025 will be distributed beginning July 1, so submit your application now to get your rebate as soon as possible!
The Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program benefits eligible Pennsylvanians ages 65 and older, widows and widowers ages 50 and older, and people with disabilities age 18 and older.
Please call or stop by my office to find out if you’re eligible and get assistance applying for your rebate. We’d be glad to answer any questions and set up an appointment to help you complete your application online!
For those who prefer to file by mail, paper applications are available in my office. |
|
|
|
|
SEPTA Senior Key Cards and Card Renewals
If you have a SEPTA Senior Key Card that has expired or will expire within the next month, we can renew it in our district office. To renew your card before it expires, please stop by my district office, or call us to make an appointment.
My office can also process applications and take photos for new SEPTA Senior Key ID Cards, which allow seniors 65 and older to travel for free on all SEPTA Regional Rail and transit routes within Pennsylvania. Just stop by my district office and bring a form of ID with your date of birth on it, such as a PA driver’s license or non-driver ID, U.S. passport, or birth certificate. We’ll enter your information into SEPTA’s online system, take a quick photo, and then SEPTA will mail your new card to you directly. |
|
|
|
|
2-1-1 Southeastern Pennsylvania: Health and Human Services
211 SEPA is part of the national 211 Call Centers initiative that seeks to provide health and human services for everyday needs and those in crisis situations.
2-1-1 works with county governments and provider agencies to ensure important local program information is easily accessible.
Visit 211sepa.org for more information. |
|
|
|
|
Mental Health Resources: Call 9-8-8
Chester County residents experiencing mental-health-related crisis or distress can dial 9-8-8 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This system is designed to be a memorable and quick number that connects people in crisis to a trained mental health professional.
Chester County offers additional resources for those in crisis, including Chester County’s warm line, 1-866-846-2722, operated by Certified Peer Specialists, who are individuals in recovery with a lived experience of mental health challenges.
Chester County’s Teen Talk Line ensures seamless referral to Mobile Crisis for youth in need of immediate or higher-level support. The call line is 855-852-TEEN (8336), and the text line is 484-362-9515.
Visit the Department of Human Services website for more information about the 988 system and other state and local mental health resources.
If you or someone you love is in crisis, please don’t give up hope, and please know that you do not need to walk this path alone. We are here and we will do whatever we can to help. |
|
|
|
|
In celebration of Independence Day, our district office will be closed on Friday, July 3. We will be back in the office on Monday, July 6 to assist you with any state-related issue.
My staff and I are here to help make state government work better for you! For assistance with the above programs or any other state-related services, please email repotten@pahouse.net, call 484-200-8259, contact us through my website, or visit my district office in Exton and let us know how we can help! |
|
|
|
District Office 631 North Pottstown Pike |
|
Pennsylvania State Capitol 34 East Wing PO Box 202155 (717) 783-5009 |
|
|
