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In this Update:
Check Presentations at SPIN!
It was great to be at SPIN (Special People in the Northeast) with Representative White to present more than $1 million in state funding! Representative White and I secured $917,450 through the Statewide Local Share Account program for new generators, and I was proud to secure an additional $170,000 in discretionary funding for a new vehicle, food program, playground improvements, hearing and vision equipment, and exterior door projects. SPIN has been serving Northeast Philadelphia for decades, providing programs and services that support children and adults with intellectual, development and autism spectrum disabilities and help them live more independent, fulfilling lives. I’m glad we could help support their work and the many individuals and families who rely on SPIN every day. Thank you to the entire SPIN team for all you do! Welcome to the Capitol, Ava!
I was excited to welcome Ava Giddings and her family to the Capitol this week. I first met Ava in the spring when she was a student at Thomas Holme. I stopped by the school’s Art Expo and entered a raffle to win one of her pieces – and got lucky! Her artwork now proudly hangs in my Harrisburg office. Ava is now a student at the Arts Academy at Benjamin Rush High School, and I was happy to show her where her artwork is on display. We have so many talented young people here in the Northeast, and I am proud to have Ava’s work hanging in my office for everyone who visits to see. Thank you for making the trip to Harrisburg. I hope you have a great school year! Congratulations to New Father Judge President, Jim Meredith ‘92!
Bid day for Father Judge! I was happy to join the Judge family this morning for their Opening Mass to kick off the school year and celebrate the installation of their new president, Jim Meredith, Class of 1992. Jim is a proud Judge graduate and now the 4th president in the school’s history. I was glad to present him with a citation recognizing this special milestone. Congratulations, Jim! It was great to be there for such an exciting day for Judge, and I am looking forward to seeing all that’s ahead for the school and its students. Archbishop Ryan Groundbreaking
It was great to join Archbishop Ryan as they officially broke ground on their new Athletic Complex! I was happy to join students, faculty, alumni, and supporters to celebrate this exciting project getting underway. The new complex will include a multi-purpose turf field, a new track and additional field space for Ryan’s athletic programs. As Ryan celebrates 60 years in Northeast Philadelphia, it’s great to see them continuing to invest in their students and the future of the school. Congratulations to everyone who helped make this possible – I’m looking forward to watching it take shape! Visiting Pegasus Therapeutic Riding Academy
I had a great time visiting Pegasus Therapeutic Riding Academy and learning more about the incredible work they’re doing here in the district. I first learned more about Pegasus through their partnership with Philadelphia Fire Fighters and Paramedics Union Local 22. Their Stepping Forward program works with children of fire responders, using interactions with horses to help teach healthy ways to cope with stress. Pegasus also provides therapeutic riding and equine-assisted programs for children and adults with disabilities, helping participants build confidence, independence and important skills. It was great to tour the facility, meet some of the horses and see firsthand what makes this place so special. Thank you to Executive Director Teresa Fletcher and her team for their dedication to enhancing the quality of life for individuals with disabilities, medical diagnoses and those at-risk populations. Thank you to the entire Pegasus team for having me and for all you do for our community! Second Office Opening!
I am excited to share that we will be opening a second district office in Rhawnhurst on October 5th! Our Parkwood office isn’t going anywhere – we’re simply adding another location so our team can be more accessible and help even more of our neighbors across Northeast Philadelphia. Whether you need help with a state-related issue, have a question, or just want to stop in and talk with our team, we’re here to help! Our new office’s address is 8400 Bustleton Avenue Unit 301, Philadelphia, PA 19152. We’re looking forward to becoming a part of the Rhawnhurst community and continuing to serve you! Veteran Office Hours
We will be hosting Veteran Office Hours at my district office on October 13th! 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 continue 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. Senate Passes Measures to Boost Protection of Senior Citizens
The state Department of Aging has been under review by the Pennsylvania auditor general and inspector general over concerns for the well-being of seniors being taken care of by Pennsylvania’s 52 county-based Area Agencies on Aging (AAA). The Senate approved legislation that would build on the release of Auditor General Tim DeFoor’s recent audit and implement proper safeguards for older Pennsylvanians. Senate Bill 1376 would:
The Senate also passed legislation to update Pennsylvania’s Older Adult Protective Services Act to better protect seniors from financial abuse and scams. The FBI ranked Pennsylvania ninth in total losses to fraud experienced by older adults in 2025. More than 7,000 seniors were defrauded of more than $200 million, representing a 43% jump from 2024. Senate Bill 738 would require financial institutions to report suspected cases of elder financial abuse and empower the institutions to hold suspicious financial transactions. The institution would have to report this transaction to the appropriate AAA. Similar legislation has been passed in more than 20 states and has been used as an effective tool to prevent fraud. Read more about Senate Bill 738 here. Legislation to Ban “Nudification” Apps Passed by Senate
Continuing our work to implement stronger safeguards on artificial intelligence, legislation to ban “nudification” apps – which allow individuals to take an image of someone and generate a fake nude or sexually explicit photo of that person – was approved by the Senate. Senate Bill 1368 prohibits such apps from being developed, operated or made available in Pennsylvania, including through online application marketplaces. These apps serve no legitimate purpose and pose a special risk to children and school students, whose lives can be upended and reputations damaged through the malicious use of this technology. The measure will be sent to the House of Representatives for consideration. Learn more about Senate Bill 1368 here. Strategies to Combat Antisemitism and Hate Highlighted at Senate Hearing
Educators, parents and advocacy organizations shared their experiences with antisemitism and explored strategies to combat hate during a public hearing of the Senate Majority Policy Committee. According to the Anti-Defamation League’s (ADL) 2025 Audit of Antisemitic Incidents, Pennsylvania recorded 281 antisemitic incidents, the fifth highest number in the nation. Harassment accounted for 70% of these cases — 194 incidents — alongside 80 acts of vandalism and seven physical assaults. It’s believed these incidents are grossly underreported because victims fear for their safety. Testifiers discussed how antisemitism can take root in schools, noting the state Department of Education doesn’t track or require administrators to note when an incident is antisemitic, leaving students and parents without a way to seek justice. Video of the full hearing and written testimony are available on the Senate Majority Policy Committee’s website. Blind or Deaf Higher Education Beneficiary Grants Available
Pennsylvania students who are blind, deaf or have a visual or hearing impairment may qualify for up to $500 in scholarships through the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA). Applicants must supply written documentation to PHEAA showing they have been evaluated and are eligible to receive benefits and supply a completed Medical Professional Certification form regarding a visual or hearing impairment. Interested students must also complete the Blind or Deaf Higher Education Beneficiary Grant Application. The completed 2026-27 application and additional documentation must be submitted by March 31, 2027. Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Don’t Miss Your Mammogram!
The American Cancer Society recommends that women at average risk begin annual screening mammograms at age 40. If you have a family history of breast cancer or other risk factors, talk with your healthcare provider about whether earlier or additional screening may be appropriate. To help, we passed Act 1 of 2023 to ensure supplemental breast cancer screening MRIs and ultrasound for individuals at higher risk are covered with no out-of-pocket costs. We also passed Act 52 of 2025 to eliminate all out-of-pocket costs for diagnostic breast imaging, including mammograms, MRIs and ultrasounds needed to evaluate an abnormal finding. Act 52 is currently beginning the implementation process, with full implementation by January 2028. Pennsylvania residents without insurance or limited insurance, like a high-deductible plan, may qualify for no-cost mammograms and follow-up imaging through programs such as the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program. To learn more, contact the PA Breast Cancer Coalition’s Director of Patient Advocacy Dolores Magro at 800-377-8828. When breast cancer is detected at its earliest stages, the 5-year survival rate is 99%. Don’t miss your mammogram. Early detection saves lives! |
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![Senator Picozzi standing with a horse. They are standing outside of a barn.]
[Pegasus 2: Senator Picozzi standing with Representative Ed Neilson, Councilmen Brian O’Neill and Mike Driscoll, as well as members of IAFF and Pegasus Therapeutic Riding Academy members standing with one of the horses outside of the barn.](https://senatorpicozzi.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/194/2026/10/1.jpg)
