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In this Update:
Joining the Keeping Up With SEPTA Podcast
I really enjoyed sitting down with Quinnlan on the Keeping Up with SEPTA podcast to talk about the future of SEPTA, the funding challenges facing our transit system, and some of the work being done to address them. We also touched on the conversations happening in Harrisburg, including my ongoing discussions with SEPTA General Manager Scott Sauer and his team about the challenges facing the authority and what comes next. There’s no question that SEPTA plays an important role across our region, and the decisions being made have a direct impact on the people and communities who rely on it. I always appreciate the opportunity to have these conversations and talk about the work ahead. Thank you for having me on! Give our conversation a listen here. Recognizing Officers From the 7th District
Three outstanding officers from the 7th Police District were recognized today for their hard work and dedication to keeping our Northeast neighborhoods safe! I’m proud that we were able to present citations to Officers William Forbes, Ilya Didok, and Leonard Pell, who were named the 7th Police District’s Officers of the Month for August and September. Officer Forbes’ attention to detail and investigative work helped take a repeat offender off our streets and connect him to several other crimes in the Northeast. Officers Didok and Pell worked closely with detectives to track down and arrest a wanted individual responsible for a violent incident that left several people injured. These are great examples of the work our police officers do every day, much of which goes unnoticed. It’s important that we recognize the men and women who go above and beyond to protect our neighborhoods. Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition and thank you to everyone at the 7th District for all you do for our community! Thank you to The Bridge Educational Foundation For Supporting EITC and OSTC!
A big thank you to the bridge Educational Foundation and the generous support of Malady & Wooten, WM Raymond James, and Vanguard for helping provide $481,250 in EITC and OSTC scholarships to students and families across Philadelphia County! Programs like Pennsylvania’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) and Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC) make a real difference for families. They help open doors for students and give parents more options when it comes to finding the education that best fits their children’s needs. I’ve always believed that parents should have a say in their children’s education and that financial circumstances shouldn’t stand in the way of opportunity. As long as I’m serving in the Senate, I’ll continue to fight to protect these programs for families in Northeast Philadelphia and across our Commonwealth. Last week, the woman responsible for the murder of SEPTA bus operator Bernard Gribbin was sentenced to 32.5 to 67 years in prison. While this brings some measure of justice, it will never bring Bernard home. I’ve been proud to stand with Bernard’s widow, Kristine, throughout this process, and I continue to admire the strength she has shown every step of the way. Now Is The Time To Act On Bernard Gribbin’s LawI am encouraged to see SEPTA call for the passage of Bernard Gribbin’s Law, Senate Bill 210, and reaffirm its commitment to working with lawmakers to get it done. I introduced this legislation to strengthen penalties for assaults against public transit workers and better protect the men and women who show up to work every day to keep our communities moving. The Senate has already passed this legislation, and now it’s time for the House to act. No family should have to go through what Kristine and her family have endured, and I’ll continue pushing to get Bernard Gribbin’s Law across the finish line. We owe it to Bernard, his family, and every transit worker across Pennsylvania. You can read more about the sentencing here. Update On Skill GamesThe October 13 deadline has come and gone, and I’m disappointed that we were unable to reach an agreement on how to regulate and tax skill games in Pennsylvania. We had a real opportunity to establish a clear framework for these machines while generating much-needed revenue for our Commonwealth. That funding could have helped address some of the challenges we face with mass transit, roads, bridges, and other critical infrastructure, without placing an additional burden on taxpayers. While the deadline has passed, the issue isn’t going away. These machines are already operating across Pennsylvania, and we need to have a responsible framework in place that provides clear rules and ensures the Commonwealth receives its fair share of the revenue being generated. I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues to find a path forward. There’s still an opportunity to get this right, and I believe it’s worth pursuing. I recently shared more of my thoughts on this issue and its potential to help fund Pennsylvania’s transportation needs. I encourage you to give it a read here. Arrest Made In the Billy McWillliam’s CaseAn arrest has been made in connection with the 2023 hit-and-run that claimed the life of 16-year-old Billy McWilliams in Northeast Philadelphia, just down the street from my Parkwood office. Earlier this year, I hosted a Senate Majority Policy Committee hearing alongside Senator Argall to take a closer look at aggressive driving and what we can do to address it. Billy’s mother was among those who testified, sharing her family’s experience and reminding everyone in that room just how serious the consequences of dangerous driving can be. I’m glad to see progress in Billy’s case, and I appreciate the work of law enforcement in pursuing answers for his family. Aggressive driving has become far too common on our roads, especially here in Northeast Philadelphia. We need stronger accountability for those who put others in danger, and I remain supportive of policies that crack down on aggressive driving and prioritize the safety of everyone on our roads. My continued thoughts are with Billy’s family, and I’m grateful to his mother for helping us bring attention to this important issue. Funding for SPIN!SPIN has been making a difference in the lives of individuals and families across Northeast Philadelphia for years, and I’m proud to play a part in supporting the work they do every day. Representative Martina White and I recently secured $917,450 for emergency generators, and I was glad to secure an additional $170,000 for a new vehicle, playground improvements, hearing and vision equipment, and other upgrades. Organizations like SPIN are such an important part of our community, and I want to make sure they have the resources they need to keep doing this amazing work. Take a minute to read more about where this funding is going. Second Office Opening!
I am excited to share that our second district office in Rhawnhurst is officially open! 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. Their phone number is 215-608-9002. We are excited to become 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 November 10th! 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. Working to Increase Affordability for Pennsylvanians
At a time when families continue to feel the strain of inflation, we know state government must look for ways to implement policies and programs to increase affordability. Fighting for the state budget to respect taxpayers and take less of your hard-earned money, enacting the Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit and the Employer Child Care Contribution Tax Credit Programs, and making homes more attainable are some of the ways we’ve focused on affordability during the 2025-26 legislative session. The new Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit provides meaningful relief for working families across the commonwealth. Families that claim the federal Earned Income Tax Credit may also claim the state tax credit equal to 10% of the federal amount. This amounts to hundreds of dollars saved every year for many working families. We also created the Employer Child Care Contribution Tax Credit Program, which provides incentives for businesses to make contributions of up to $500 annually toward their employees’ child-care costs. And we took steps to make housing attainable to more Pennsylvanians by passing legislation streamlining municipal approval processes, reducing delays, cutting unnecessary red tape, and creating a Housing Development Regulatory Compliance Officer to serve as a single point of contact and improve coordination in the permitting process. We’re committed to continuing to implement greater government efficiencies and policies to control the growth of spending and help address affordability for families throughout Pennsylvania. New Law Cracks Down on Robocalls, Scam Texts and Caller ID Spoofing
Legislation we unanimously passed enacting stronger protections from deceptive telemarketing practices will take effect Monday, Oct. 19. Under Act 47 of 2026, Pennsylvania’s telemarketing law will now cover modern forms of solicitation, including text messages, voicemails, ringless voicemails and robocalls. It also establishes stronger rules for when and how telemarketers can contact Pennsylvanians, including:
The legislation also prohibits the use of AI-generated messages to deceive consumers. Key Election Dates to Remember
Election Day will be here before you know it, and I want to make sure you know the key dates.
To make sure you’re registered, learn how to request an absentee ballot and find your polling place, visit the state’s elections information webpage. National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is Oct. 24
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, most people who use prescription medication for a nonmedical purpose obtained that medication from a family member or friend. Removing unnecessary medications from the home can help remove this risk. National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is Oct. 24 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., providing a safe, convenient and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs. Find a local collection site near you at the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration website. Understanding Metastatic Breast Cancer
Metastatic breast cancer, also known as Stage IV breast cancer, is diagnosed when breast cancer has spread to other parts of the body. While treatments can help control metastatic cancer and allow many people to live longer, Stage IV breast cancer is currently considered incurable. During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, let’s recognize the Pennsylvanians living with metastatic breast cancer every day. Organizations like the PA Breast Cancer Coalition offer programs specific to individuals with metastatic breast cancer including a Stage IV-specific care package program and patient resources. Metastatic breast cancer research is essential to developing more effective treatments, improving quality of life and extending the lives of those living with stage IV cancer. Please consider making a $5 contribution to research when you renew your Pennsylvania driver’s license or vehicle registration online. For more information, visit the PA Breast Cancer Coalition website. |
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