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In this Update:

• Supporting the Women’s Animal Center
• Residents’ Advocacy Program at Jefferson
• Pennsylvania Has New Tools to Solve Violent Crimes
• PA College Savings Fees Waived for Fifth Straight Year
• Booking a Tour of Your State Capitol
• Upcoming Events

Supporting Women’s Animal Center

I recently visited the Women’s Animal Center in Bensalem to meet with CEO Catherine Malkemes and Director of Development and Communications Karen Lash. During my visit, we toured the facility and discussed their growing programs, shelter needs, and highlighted a $5,000 Walmart grant I helped secure earlier this year to support their general operations.

The shelter is currently seeking donations of non-clumping cat litter for the shelter cats and pet food for the food pantry. You can learn more about donating on their website, or drop off these items at my Shredding Event at Bensalem High School on September 19.

If you are looking to add a furry friend to your family, the Women’s Animal Center will host its 12^th Annual Clear the Shelters Adoption Event on August 29, 2026, from 10am to 2pm, located at 3839 Richlieu Rd, in Bensalem. The event is part of NBC’s nationwide Clear the Shelters campaign and all adoption fees will be generously sponsored by Inspire Credit Union.

Residents’ Advocacy Program at Jefferson

Last week, I had the privilege of speaking to a large group of residents from the Family Medicine, Emergency Medicine, Internal Medicine and combined Family Medicine/Emergency Medicine, Internal Medicine/Emergency Medicine residency programs at Jefferson Northeast.

I spoke about how the legislation process works, the importance of advocating for patient and medical research and how healthcare professionals can build productive relationships with elected officials to help make a difference. I also enjoyed answering their thoughtful questions during a Q& A session.

Thank you to my former constituent, Lauren Kramer, DO for the invitation.

I was joined by Lauren Kramer, DO -Attending Physician, Emergency Department, Jefferson Northeast, Marilyn Heine, MD – Chair elect American Medical Association Board of Trustees, Past President Pennsylvania Medical Society and Bucks County Medical Society, and Bunmi Olarewaju, D.O, FACOI, FACOEP, FAAEM, Associate Program Director, Internal Medicine, Associate Program Director, Combined Emergency Medicine /Internal Medicine Residency.

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.
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.

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 th at gave birth to a nation. Find details and book a tour here.

Upcoming Events