Serving as your State Senator has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. It has given me the unique opportunity to create and pass important legislation, advocate with government agencies on behalf of my constituents, and promote worthy projects, all of which directly impact the lives of the people I have the privilege to represent in Harrisburg. These are some of the accomplishments of which I am most proud:
Advocacy
I have been a strong and consistent advocate for efforts that address domestic violence and gun issues.
I have been an early and strong voice for tackling the opioid crisis including expanding quality treatment opportunities in Berks County and throughout the Commonwealth, committing state resources to combat the proliferation of opioids, and cracking down on treatment providers that fail in their duty to offer quality, safe, and effective treatment options.
In response to persistent concerns raised by constituents faced with increasing difficulty finding safe and affordable housing opportunities, I introduced a package of renters’ protection bills, which, among other things, prevents large out-of-state land management companies from buying up family-owned mobile home parks and drastically raising fees and rents and limits the amount landlords can charge in apartment application fees with no guarantee of approval.
I convinced Pennsylvania’s Secretary of Economic Development to approve $7 million in the Commonwealth’s economic incentive assistance, including nearly $3 million in grant funding, for the Berks County Industrial Development Authority’s Berks Park 183 industrial park development at the Reading Regional Airport.
I have consistently fought large rate increases requested by privately owned water companies and introduced a package of bills giving ratepayers a direct say in whether their local officials can sell municipal water and sewer assets to a private company.
I strongly advocated for the creation of a $40 million state business grant program for businesses from economically disadvantage segments of community who historically have had difficulty accessing capital to grow and expand their small businesses.
I strongly supported the creation of the Whole Home Repairs Program, which is making $200 million available statewide to help homeowners make critical repairs to their homes which ensures the habitability of residences and stabilizes neighborhoods.
I supported funding for job training, business critical education training programs which included seed and sustainable funding for the Berks County Latino Workforce Investment Board and the Berks County Latino Chamber of Commerce.
Working with our District Attorney, the Berks County Bar Association, and Berks Connections Pretrial Services, I was able to access a $100,000 state seed grant and bring the Pardon Project to Berks County. This is a restorative justice program which helps individuals with a past, non-violent criminal record remove barriers to securing good jobs.
Advancing Worthy Projects
I am proud of:
over $56 million in state redevelopment capital assistance grant funding to support major economic and community development initiatives that help our economy grow and revitalize our local communities including:
transformational projects to revitalize Downtown Reading, including $12.5 million for Alvernia University’s Collegetowne, $2.25 million to rehabilitate the former Medical Arts Building into much-needed market-rate housing, $1,5 million to renovate the Historic Trexler Mansion back to productive use.
projects that improve the ability of our educational institutions to train the workforce to fill critical job openings in our construction, health care, and manufacturing sectors such as $1,750,000 for the International Operator Engineers Apprentice Training Center in Berks County, $5,000,000 for Reading Area Community College for the Weitz Health Pavilion which will provide the flexible lab space needed to train the next generation of healthcare workers and $4,000,000 for Albright College to develop STEM training capabilities for students and educators.
more than $9 million to support the public private partnership needed to renovate First Energy Stadium ensuring that Reading Fightin’ Phils continue remain our hometown baseball franchise and an economic driver in region for many years to come.
$13,000,000 for the ByHeart Lexington End Use Packaging Line Project in Exeter Township, bringing a state-of-the-art manufacturer of natural baby formula to our area which will provide family-sustaining jobs using Pennsylvania-sourced dairy products.
$3 million to support the Rodale Institute Science Center Project, expanding our regions reputation as a catalyst for developing cutting-edge, sustainable agriculture processes and products.
nearly $400,000 in state grant funding to support rail and economic impact studies needed to restore passenger rail service to Reading and Berks County, an initiative that has universal support from all levels of government and the business sector.
over $7 million in state multimodal grant funding that improves traffic safety and flow, promotes economic growth, enhances accessibility in our neighborhoods, including pedestrian access and safety improvements in Kutztown, sidewalk construction on a school walking route in Mount Penn and Lower Alsace Township, and traffic and school safety features in the Governor Mifflin School District.
more than $4 million in community development grants to help communities throughout Berks County improve the quality of life and promote community development, including $200,000 for safety camera upgrades in West Reading, and $400,000 to restore the historic Strand Theater in Kutztown.
more than $3 million in state grant funding to local municipalities and non-profit agencies to support park and recreation development projects and forestland preservation efforts including Fleetwood Community Park, Egelman Park in Reading, Manzella Park in Laureldale, Laurel Run Park in Muhlenberg, Ruben Strause Park in Ruscombmanor, and the Stone House in Wyomissing.
numerous initiatives that brought home millions of dollars in grant funding to improve safety at schools, churches, synagogues, and mosques and brought critical equipment and facilities to police, fire, and EMS organizations, including Reading Police and Mount Penn Fire Department.