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Hi Folks,

We hope this September edition of District Deliberations finds you all doing well. The great American author F. Scott Fitzgerald once said, “Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the Fall.” As we now enter this colorful season, we look to the end of this legislative session and the approach of a new one coming up over the horizon.

It’s no secret that election season is fast upon us and I want to assure every Pennsylvanian that their right to cast a ballot in a free and fair election is our utmost priority. Despite the fears, chaos, and confusion that the administration in Washington continues to sow, we in the PA House continue our pledge to support, obey, and defend the Constitution of the United States and this Commonwealth by protecting your right to vote.

As such, Rep. Kenyatta and I have introduced HB 2758, legislation to Protect Voters from Intimidation at Polling Places. I am happy to report that it has passed the Judiciary Committee this month and will hopefully soon be heading to the House floor for a vote. We hope for bi-partisan support to help uphold a sacred tenet of our Democracy – Free and Fair Elections. (More information below).

This issue of District Deliberations features my latest legislative highlights to include my House Bill 2674 – Restricting Data Centers from Obtaining Public Utility Status and HB 2755 - Ending Excess Utility Profits, passing in both the Consumer Protection and Energy committees respectively; a fond farewell to two fantastic community leaders in this month’s Hometown Heroes; celebrating the purchase through grants of a lifesaving emergency blocking truck for our first responders; Woof! The passage of the Beagle bill; and up-to-date information on the 2026 General Election. Finally, of course, we have the wise whelps 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 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

Hometown Heroes

This September, our Hometown Heroes are two wonderful West Chester citizens who’ve recently passed away after lifelong service to the community. I consider it an honor and privilege to know both of these fantastic pillars of our community. Our condolences to their many friends and their families. They will be sorely missed.

Tom Walsh

Stanley Lieberman

Tom Walsh was the creator of the West Chester Historical Commission and a valued member of our West Chester community. Tom lived in West Chester borough with his wife, Diane, and their family for almost 50 years. He experienced the town throughout its many stages and remembered when West Chester felt like a town straight out of the 19th century.

Throughout his life in West Chester, Tom Walsh was a member of several community organizations such as the Chester County Sports Hall of Fame, the PSEA Teacher’s Union, the Melton Community Center, and the West Goshen Lion’s Club, which was the first integrated club in the area. Additionally, Tom served on the Chester County Agricultural Development Commission and the West Chester borough Planning Commission while working as a teacher at Owen J. Roberts high school.

Tom Walsh sadly passed away earlier this month at the age of 85. His legacy, however, will live forever in West Chester. Tom was a testament to the town’s history that he himself helped to preserve. His work was unique in that it celebrated our history and our progress. Tom was a champion of our community, and I am proud to name him as one of this month’s Hometown Heroes.

Details found here:

West Chester historian Tom Walsh dies at age 85

Stanley Lieberman began his career at just 16 years old when he became a junior firefighter of the Berwyn Fire Company. He attended college at Drexel University and interrupted his college career to serve in the Air Force for four years. After graduation, he enrolled in Temple University Law School and opened the first formal law office in Berwyn in over 50 years.

Service was important to Stanley. He served as President of The West Whiteland Township Historical Commission and as a member of The West Whiteland Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee. Stanley was also the second President of The Exton Station Community Master Board of Directors and President of his own association, Vanderbilt Village. He was also the Solicitor for our County’s Register of Wills. Stanley was a proud veteran and a friend to so many of us. One of Stanley’s many passions was teaching and he served as President of the Board of Trustees of West Chester University.

Sadly, Stanley Lieberman passed away earlier this month at the age of 93. Our community will forever miss him, his leadership, and his service. His work left such a positive mark on our district’s history, and I am proud to name him as one of this month’s Hometown Heroes.

Details found here:

Stanley Lieberman Obituary (2026)

Protecting Voters from Intimidation at the Polls – House Bill 2758

Earlier this week, I spoke about my co-prime sponsored House Bill 2758 -- protecting voters from intimidation at the polls -- to my colleagues on the Judiciary Committee. The bill has now passed in the Judiciary Committee.

The right to cast a vote without fear, obstruction, or intimidation is something that we Pennsylvanians hold sacred no matter what one's political affiliation may be.

It's incumbent upon us as legislators to reaffirm, clarify, and reassure ALL voters that the right to participate in a free and fair election will not be interfered with.

By reaffirming the clear intent of our laws that protect voters at the polls and by reassuring voters that they will have an additional private right of legal action should their voting rights be curtailed in any manner, we allay those concerns and turn down the temperature by providing certainty, comfort, and clarity to the many voters who are apprehensive about the General Election on November 3.

The Beagle Bill – Senate Bill 381

I voted in favor of Senate Bill 381 - also known as the Beagle Bill. This bi-partisan bill will defund painful dog and cat testing in Pennsylvania and shine a light on the scope of cruel and wasteful experimentation across our Commonwealth.

Recent data shows that Pennsylvania laboratories, including state institutions of higher learning, house thousands of dogs and cats for this inhumane purpose. SB 381 blocks cruel devocalization procedures, creates adoption opportunities for dogs and cats once their time in research has ended, and establishes basic protections for dogs bred for testing purposes.

It would also ensure product testing companies utilize innovative non-animal alternatives when approved for use, accelerating the transition away from outmoded animal tests.

PA can lead the nation in ending cruel experimentation on our beloved dogs and cats while charting a path forward that not only will save countless human lives but the lives of countless dogs and cats.

Preventing Commercial Data Centers from Becoming Public Utilities – House Bill 2674

I'm pleased to announce that my legislation to prohibit data centers from obtaining public utility status was approved unanimously by the PA House Consumer Protection, Technology & Utilities Committee.

By obtaining public utility status, data center developers would preempt local zoning ordinances and be able to invoke eminent domain, operate as a regulated monopoly, acquire development rights, rights-of-way and property for building, maintaining, or expanding infrastructure for data center projects that only benefit private, for-profit corporations.

Since 2020, when data centers started to be constructed, Pennsylvania’s energy costs have risen by over 70 percent. With there being estimates up to 130 active data centers with an additional 55 data centers being proposed, planned, or under construction, this problem will only get worse without proper regulation. If data centers become a public utility, they could preempt local municipal zoning ordinances and reduce communities’ control over land-use decisions. We need to place guardrails on this issue and ensure that Pennsylvanians have a voice in where these data centers are developed.

Ending Excess Utility Profits – House Bill 2755

This month, I proudly co-sponsored House Bill 2755 with Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler, which was approved by the PA House Energy Committee with bipartisan support.

HB 2755 would end excess utility profits by both mandating regional transmission organization participation and eliminating unneeded incentives to utility shareholders.

Current law gives investor-owned utilities a financial bonus for joining a regional transmission organization — a group that coordinates electricity across multiple states to improve efficiency and reliability. While this bonus was originally meant to encourage participation, it is funded by customers through their electricity bills and paid directly to utility shareholders. This legislation would update that policy by requiring utilities to join a regional transmission organization and eliminating the extra bonus payment.

At a time when utility shareholders are earning record profits and households continue to face rising costs, we need to work to find solutions to restore balance by tipping the scales back into the favor of Pennsylvania families. This legislation will restore fairness and accountability using commonsense measures to ensure affordable energy is provided for everyone.

2026 GENERAL ELECTION INFO

Are you ready to vote by mail or at your polling place?

It's never too early to prepare to vote in this November's General Election. Here are some important dates to know:

Oct. 19: Last day to register to vote / vote.pa.gov/register
Oct. 27: Last day to request a mail-in or absentee ballot / vote.pa.gov/ApplyMailBallot
Nov. 3: General Election Day / Polls are open on election day from 7 a.m. – 8 p.m.

For more info and to register online, visit vote.pa.gov or contact my district office to obtain a voter registration paper application, available in English and Spanish.

You can also visit Chester County Voter Services (CCVS) at 601 Westtown Road, Suite 150 West Chester, PA. Phone: 610-344-6410 or visit www.chesco.org/elections

VOTE BY MAIL INFORMATION

Oct. 27 is the deadline to apply for a mail ballot. To request a mail ballot, visit the link here: vote.pa.gov/applymailballot

Voters who requested to vote by mail should start seeing ballots from CCVS soon.

Nov. 3 at 8 p.m. is the deadline to return your mail ballot.

Drop boxes are open from Oct. 12 to Nov. 3. There are 13 drop boxes around Chester County. Three drop boxes are open 24/7 and ten drop boxes are open certain hours every day.

To find drop box locations and hours, visit the link here: www.chesco.org/4758/Mail-in-Voting

ELECTION ASSISTANCE OFFICES

Election Assistance Offices are available to offer a variety of services including:

Voter registration and updates (by Oct. 19)
Mail-in or absentee ballot applications (by 5 p.m. on Oct. 27)
Complete a cancel and reissue request for a replacement mail-in or absentee ballot (by Nov. 2)
Obtain replacement ballots, declaration envelopes and/or secrecy envelopes (by Nov. 2)
Request an emergency absentee ballot (Oct. 28 to Nov. 3)
Cure your mail-in or absentee ballot (by Nov. 2, West Chester location only)
- This includes "On Demand Voting" - Voter can request mail ballot, complete it, then return it all in one visit.

You can find Election Assistance Offices at the following locations:

Government Services Center

601 Westtown Rd. West Chester, PA - Open Oct. 12 to Nov. 2. Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Open until 5 p.m. on Oct. 27)

Oxford Public Library

48 S Second St. Oxford, PA - Open Oct. 10 and Oct. 24 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Henrietta Hankin Library

215 Windgate Dr. Chester Springs, PA - Open Oct. 17 and Oct. 31 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

More information on Election Assistance Offices can be found here: www.chesco.org/5241/Election-Assistance-Offices

Senior Expo Recap

My district office staff was happy to attend the Senior Expo hosted by West Chester Area Senior Center on Sept. 17. They answered questions about PA Dept. of Aging services, PA Dept. of Revenue Property Tax/Rent Rebates, Real IDs, and more.

My staff visits the Senior Center every third Wednesday of the month from 10 a.m. - noon. Everyone is welcome to stop by our table! (Location: 530 East Union Street, West Chester, PA. 19382)

New Emergency Blocking Truck for Our District!

I am proud to work with our local Fire Coalition, Chief Pelna WCFD, West Goshen Twp. Supervisors John Hellman & Tina Marie Smith, & Sen. Carolyn Comitta to obtain grants to purchase a lifesaving emergency blocking truck for crash sites. Working together to secure the safety of our community and our first responders is our highest priority!

Vaccine Clinics Hosted by Chester County Health Department – Find one near you!

Oct. 5, 2026, at the Coatesville Library from 1 p.m. to 5:15 p.m.
Oct. 8, 2026, at Unionville High School from 3:15 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.
Oct. 14, 2026, at the Honey Brook Food Pantry from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Oct. 15, 2026, at Kennett Middle School from 3 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.
Oct. 17, 2026, at the Avon Grove Church of Nazarene from 10 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
Oct. 22, 2026, at Owen J. Roberts Middle School from 4:15 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.
Oct. 26, 2026, at the Chester County Government Services Center from 3 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.
Oct. 28, 2026, at the Honey Brook Food Pantry from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Oct. 29, 2026, at Mighty Writers from 3:15 p.m. to 5:45 p.m.
Nov. 5, 2026, at Oxford Area Senior Center from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Find more information about each vaccine clinic HERE: chesco.org/fallvaccines

Q: The weather has turned cold overnight. When does the state’s heating bill assistance program begin?

A: The 2026-2027 Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Season is scheduled to open on Nov. 2, 2026.

Starting Nov. 2, you can apply HERE: Apply for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

LIHEAP is a one-time cash grant paid directly to the energy provider and lasts until the funds are exhausted.

Please feel free to contact my district office staff with questions or for assistance at (610) 696-4990 or RepPielli@pahouse.net or stop by 121 West Miner Street, Suite 1E, West Chester Borough.