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In this Update:
1st Annual Tacony Community Arts Day
It was great to see so many neighbors come together for our 1st Annual Tacony Community Arts Day! From talented local artists and vendors to live demonstrations, the event highlighted the creativity and talent we have right here in the district. I was honored to present a citation to Jane Golden, Executive Director of Mural Arts Philadelphia, for her retirement. Her leadership helped make Mural Arts a nationally recognized program that has brought communities together through the power of public art. We were also proud to present a check for $25,000 to support teen program expansions at Tacony LAB, creating more opportunities for local teens to explore their creativity. Thank you to Tacony LAB, Mural Arts Philadelphia, Tacony CDC, Councilman Mike Driscoll, and everyone who helped make this event possible. Most of all, thank you to all of the artists, vendors, and neighbors who came out to celebrate everything that makes Tacony a vibrant community. I am looking forward to next year! VICTIM Act Press Conference
Public safety starts with giving law enforcement the resources they need to deliver justice, ands that’s exactly what the VICTIM Act will do. To see my full remarks from the press conference, click the video above. National Night Out!
National Night Out is a great reminder that public safety is a partnership. When neighbors know each other, support their local police, and stay involved in their communities, our neighborhoods become stronger because of it. I was excited to spend the evening visiting National Night Out events across the 5th Senatorial District, including Tacony Town Watch and the 15th, 2nd/7th, and 8th Police Districts events. It was great to see so many families, neighbors, first responders and community organizations come together! It was so great catching up with residents and joining my colleagues throughout the night. Thank you to everyone who helped organize these events – and to the police officers, first responders, and volunteers who do so much to keep our communities safe and connected. MOCA Graduation
I was honored to join The Welcoming Center to celebrate its first graduating class of its Manufacturing Opportunities for Career Advancement (MOCA) program, a free workforce development initiative that prepares work-authorized immigrants for careers in manufacturing through hands-on training, job coaching, and industry-recognized certifications. Congratulations to each graduate, and thank you to The Welcoming Center, Drexel University’s Goodwin College of Professional Studies, and Philadelphia Works for creating pathways to meaningful careers and helping more Philadelphians achieve the American Dream. I was glad I was able to be a part of such an incredible milestone! Bernard Gribbin UpdateThis week, 24-year-old Zhontay Capers plead guilty to killing Bernard Gribbin, a SEPTA Bus Operator who was shot and killed on his route in October 2023. I was honored to stand alongside Bernard’s widow, Kristine, their family, and the many members of the Transport Workers Union Local 234 to ensure justice was served and we continued to honor Bernard’s memory. The guilty please brings accountability, but it doesn’t change the fact that Bernard should still be here. Every day, transit workers show up to serve our communities. They deserve to know they’ll make it home safely. That’s why I introduced Senate Bill 210, also known as Bernard Gribbin’s Law, to strengthen protections for the men and women who keep Pennsylvania moving. The Senate passed this legislation months ago. It now sits in the House Judiciary Committee awaiting action. We owe it to Bernard’s family, his fellow transit workers, and every rider who depends on public transit to get this bill across the finish line. Veteran Office Hours
We will be hosting Veteran Office Hours at my district office on August 11th! A Veteran Service Officer will be on hand to assist veterans and their families with benefits, claims, and available resources. Please bring your DD-214 paperwork to the office hours. Mobile Office Hours
My team and I are bringing constituents services directly into the community! We look forward to seeing you and helping you with any state-related issues. Photo of the Month
We are excited to launch a new community feature highlighting the people, places, and moments that make Northeast Philadelphia special. Residents can submit photos that capture the spirit of our neighborhoods. We look forward to showing the pride, character, and community that makes Northeast Philadelphia such a great place to live. You can submit your photos here. Pennsylvania Has New Tools to Solve Violent Crimes
Law enforcement agencies will be able to access new tools to boost clearance rates for homicide and other violent crime cases through a new state law. The Violent Incident Clearance and Technological Investigative Methods (VICTIM) Act was enacted with the new state budget. The law establishes a grant program administered by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency to help police hire and retain detectives and investigators, and upgrade technology used to analyze evidence. Solving more violent crimes will help make communities safer by getting offenders off the streets while also serving as a deterrent to would-be criminals who know their crimes will not go unanswered. State Budget Boosts College Tuition Assistance
Under the new state budget we recently passed, the maximum PA State Grant award has increased to the highest amount in program history, helping students across the commonwealth and their families pay for higher education. For the 2026-27 fiscal year, the maximum award is $6,000, up from $5,750, the amount it’s been for four years. The funding is administered by the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA). Each year, PHEAA’s board reevaluates the awarding formula by analyzing several factors, including tuition costs, the effect of inflation on family incomes, the number of expected applicants and recommended funding for the program as part of the annual budget process. Read more about the PA State Grant program here. PA College Savings Fees Waived for Fifth Straight Year
Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity announced asset-based fees for the PA 529 College and Career Savings Program’s Guaranteed Savings Plan (GSP) will be waived for the fifth year in a row. PA 529 GSP account owners will not see any asset-based fees on their quarterly statements for July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, resulting in $5.9 million in savings. This fee waiver is funded through surplus earnings of the GSP fund. The PA 529 GSP allows families to save at today’s tuition rates to meet tomorrow’s tuition costs. Families can choose from a variety of tuition levels to save from community college to Ivy League. PA 529 GSP account earnings are based on tuition inflation rates. Red Tape Slashed for PA Cosmetology Workers
Legislation to streamline licensing for the cosmetology workforce has been signed into law, a major step in addressing Pennsylvania’s ongoing workforce shortages. Act 43 of 2026 authorizes Pennsylvania to join the Cosmetology Licensure Compact, an interstate agreement that makes it easier for licensed cosmetologists — who provide treatments for hair, skin and nails — to obtain a multistate license and work in participating states without unnecessary red tape. It also ensures cosmetology professionals in active-duty military families face no burdensome licensure requirements in compact states. Pennsylvania is the 13th state to enter the compact, joining neighboring states Ohio, West Virginia, Maryland and Delaware. Read more about this new law here. Booking a Tour of Your State Capitol
Summer is a great time to tour your state Capitol, a National Historic Landmark featuring Renaissance designs, paintings, stained glass and furnishings by some of the best artisans in the world. Scheduling in advance is recommended, but walk-ins are welcome according to availability. Tours take approximately 30-45 minutes and are limited to 40 guests total per tour. Self-guided tours do not take place on weekends and holidays. More than the seat of Pennsylvania’s government, the Capitol is a magnificent symbol of the hopes and vision of the commonwealth that gave birth to a nation. Find details and book a tour here. |
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![Senator Picozzi with 3 Philadelphia Police Officers standing outside under a tree]
and Senator Picozzi standing with Rep. Pat Gallagher, Mayor Cherelle Parker, Councilman Mike Driscoll, and City Commissioner Lisa Deeley outside](https://senatorpicozzi.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/194/2026/08/nno.jpg)
