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| Capitol Report |
#Listrak\DateStampLong#
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The latest news from the State Capitol
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Please do not reply directly to this email, as it returns to an unattended account.
You are welcome to contact me through this link.
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Regional Energy Policies Drive Higher Electricity Costs Across the PJM Grid
I am participating in a regional energy policy hearing in Annapolis with legislators from Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey and Virginia to identify practical solutions for the energy affordability crisis.
The hearing focuses on the PJM Interconnection, the regional electricity market that serves 13 states and the District of Columbia. PJM operates a single, interconnected grid. Decisions made in one state affect electric bills across the entire region. No state acts in isolation. That means poor policy decisions about making electricity in one state impacts all the states, raising the rates on everyone. With the pending electricity scarcity currently priced into our bills, the impact on us in Pennsylvania is dramatically more than it should be considering how much electricity we currently produce (and later could produce).
A core issue before the hearing involves supply and demand. Electricity demand continues to grow, driven by large new users and broader electrification, while generation growth lags behind. When supply fails to keep pace, prices rise. Those increases flow directly into monthly electric bills for families and small businesses. But – again – some of the scarcity is driven by policy in other states to prevent significant new electricity generation from coming online, and we pay the price – unnecessarily.
Energy affordability affects every household budget and every local employer. I will continue pressing for solutions that realize Pennsylvania’s value in being a huge power exporter. Pennsylvania ratepayers should realize that more of that economic benefit.
I will share more after the hearing.
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Budget Invests in Child Care Workforce to Support Working Families
Access to reliable child care remains one of the biggest challenges facing working families across Pennsylvania. Parents cannot return to work or maintain stable schedules if child care providers cannot hire and retain qualified staff. That reality guided my support for a $25 million investment in the child care workforce included in the state budget.
Across Pennsylvania, child care centers report thousands of unfilled positions. Those vacancies prevent tens of thousands of children from accessing care, even when families can afford it. Addressing affordability without addressing staffing does not solve the problem. We must do both.
This budget directs $25 million toward recruiting and retaining child care workers through targeted bonuses. That investment helps providers compete for staff, reduce turnover, and expand capacity. When centers can fill open positions, they can serve more families and operate more reliably.
This approach complements recent efforts to reduce child care costs for parents by recognizing that a stable workforce is essential to a functioning child care system. Strong providers depend on trained, committed professionals, and those workers deserve support that reflects the importance of their role.
For families in Chester and Delaware counties, this investment supports workforce participation, strengthens local economies, and helps parents balance work and family responsibilities. It also supports small child care businesses that serve as anchors in many communities.
I supported this funding because it focuses on practical solutions. By strengthening the child care workforce, we expand access, improve stability, and support working parents across the Commonwealth.
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State Budget Strengthens State Police Coverage and Public Safety
The state budget makes a significant investment in public safety by strengthening the Pennsylvania State Police and improving coverage in communities that rely on them every day. Many municipalities in Chester and Delaware counties depend on State Police support, and this funding directly affects response times, staffing levels, and public safety on our roads and in our neighborhoods.
The budget increases funding for the Pennsylvania State Police by nearly $70 million. That investment supports four new cadet classes, which will train additional troopers to serve communities across the Commonwealth. More than half of Pennsylvania’s municipalities do not have a local police department, and many others operate with very small forces. State Police coverage remains essential for those areas.
The budget also invests in modernizing State Police operations. It directs up to $27 million toward information technology and cybersecurity to protect critical systems and sensitive data. It includes $15 million to support traffic enforcement efforts that reduce crashes and save lives on Pennsylvania roadways. The budget also continues funding for training grants that strengthen partnerships between State Police and local law enforcement agencies.
Public safety requires consistent investment, disciplined budgeting, and a focus on results. This funding supports the troopers who patrol our highways, assist local departments, and respond when communities need help. I supported this budget because it strengthens statewide law enforcement capacity and helps keep families safe across Chester and Delaware counties and throughout Pennsylvania.
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2025 Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program Now Open
Eligible Pennsylvanians may now apply for the 2025 Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program to claim rebates on property taxes or rent paid last year.
Income limits increased again this year to $48,110 for both homeowners and renters because of a 2023 law I supported that adjusts eligibility based on annual increases in the Consumer Price Index. Applicants should exclude 50% of Social Security income when calculating total income. The maximum rebate remains $1,000.
The program serves residents age 65 and older, widows and widowers age 50 and older, and people with disabilities age 18 and older.
Residents do not need to pay anyone for assistance with an application. Applicants may apply online at mypath.pa.gov or contact my office for help. Additional information about the program is available here.
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PennDOT Driver License and Photo Centers and my District Offices Closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day
PennDOT will close all driver license and photo centers from Saturday, January 17, through Monday, January 19, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. My district office will also close on Monday, January 19, and reopen for regular business hours on Tuesday, January 20.
During the closure, residents may still access many driver and vehicle services online. PennDOT offers forms, publications, driver training manuals, and select transactions through its Driver and Vehicle Services website at dmv.pa.gov
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Attention Students: House Fellowship Program Taking Applications
The Pennsylvania House Legislative Fellowship Program is accepting applications for its summer 2026 semester.
The program is based at Pennsylvania’s Capitol Building in Harrisburg where fellows are assigned to work in House standing committees or leadership offices; are compensated for their work (which may also include college credit); and are provided the opportunities to draft and present their own legislation, attend meet-and-greets with various public officials and staff, and tour some of the Commonwealth’s historic public spaces, to name a few. The summer semester runs from June 4 to August. 6.
Qualified applicants must be undergraduate juniors or seniors, graduate students or law school students; enrolled in a Pennsylvania college/university or a Pennsylvania resident enrolled in an out-of-state institution; and students of any major with a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
For more information or to apply, visit pahousefellowship.us. Applications can be submitted via email to pahousefellowship@pabmc.net. The deadline to apply is March 2.
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Around The District
Virtual Parent Training on Supporting Literacy at Home
The Delaware County Intermediate Unit (DCIU) will host a virtual parent training focused on supporting literacy at home.
The session, Supporting Literacy at Home, will help families understand common literacy terms found in student assessments and provide practical strategies to reinforce those skills outside of school.
The training will take place Wednesday, January 21, 2026, from 6 to 8 p.m. via Zoom. Maggie Ficco, professional development specialist at DCIU, will lead the session.
Registration is required by 4 p.m. Tuesday, January 20, 2026. Families may register at bit.ly/4cc1tNh. DCIU will share the Zoom link with registered participants the day before the session.
Photo Credit: Facebook
Oakbourne Walk in the Park
Westtown Township Parks and Recreation is hosting aSweetheart Stroll Luminary Walk at Oakbourne Park on Friday, February 6, from 6 - 8 p.m.
The event features a luminary-lit walking trail surrounding the historic Oakbourne Mansion. Attendees may warm up with coffee or cocoa, visit local vendors and experience one of Westtown’s most scenic parks. This event welcomes families, and all ages may attend.
Photo Credit: Facebook
Garnet Valley High School Teams Host Winter Donation Drives
Garnet Valley High School student-athletes are organizing clothing and household item drives to support neighbors in need this winter.
The cheerleading team will host a winter coat and household item drive on Saturday, January 17, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the high school. Community members may drop off donations during that time.
The women’s basketball team will host a warm coat donation drive during its home game on Tuesday, January 20 at 7pm. Fans who donate an item will receive free admission to the game.
Student Council members will collect the donated items and deliver them to individuals and families in need.
Photo Credit: Facebook
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Bravo Zulu
*The BZ pennants are hoisted as a part of Navy/Marine Corps custom to communicate “GOOD JOB!”
Garnet Valley High School Earns Gold Recognition
Garnet Valley High School earned gold recognition on the 2025 Advanced Placement Scholar Honor Roll from the College Board. The school received this distinction based on strong performance on Advanced Placement exams, which are college-level assessments. Sixty-eight percent of students took at least one Advanced Placement exam, 56% earned scores of 3 or higher, and 29% demonstrated sustained participation beginning in earlier grades. Faculty preparation and student commitment drove these results, and this recognition reflects the school’s continued focus on academic rigor.
Photo Credit: Facebook
Rustin High Schoolers Air On 6 ABC News Studios
Rustin High School students interested in television and video production got a behind-the-scenes tour of the 6 ABC studio. They learned how story ideas become live broadcasts, saw the teleprompter in action, and tested their skills in front of the weather green screen. Congratulations to these budding newscasters!
Photo Credit: Facebook
Rustin Women’s Basketball
The Rustin Women’s Basketball team defeated Sun Valley on Tuesday in a commanding 52-37 win at home. Well done!
Garnet Valley Women’s Basketball
Garnet Valley Women’s Basketball defeated Strath Haven 56-38 on Tuesday. This win brings the jags to 11-2 on the season. They are poised to make a deep playoff run! The team is still undefeated in league play. Great job!
Garnet Valley Wrestling
Garnet Valley Wrestling took home a win against Lower Merion on Wednesday. The team secured 4 tech falls and 5 falls. This moves GV to 9-3 on the season.
Honor Roll
Shenandoah University's Dean's List Fall 2025
Anna Goodman
Alvernia University's Dean's List Fall 2025
Isabella Blundetto
Olivia Henriquez
Madeline Turley
Slippery Rock University Deans List Fall 2025
Julia Boettler
Kaiden Carlson
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| Office Locations |
| District Office: |
| One Beaver Valley Road | (intersection of Route 202 & Naamans Creek Road) Chadds Ford, PA 19317-9012 | Phone (610) 358-5925 | FAX: 610-358-5933 |
| Capitol Office: |
| 3 East Wing, P.O. Box 202160, Harrisburg, PA 17120-2160 | Phone: 717-783-3038 | FAX: 717-787-7604 |
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