BI-WEEKLY E-BLAST: Legislature passed budget Friday evening

(Jul 15, 2022)

Last week was a busy one in Harrisburg. On Friday, July 8, the General Assembly passed a budget, and it was signed into law by the governor later that evening. Read more

 

O’Mara, Shusterman applaud funding for women’s apprenticeship program

(Jul 15, 2022)

HARRISBURG, July 15 – State Reps. Jennifer O’Mara and Melissa Shusterman today announced Apprentice Training for the Electrical Industry was awarded $394,383 for a program introducing young women to the electrical trade. “More women are entering the electrical trade than ever before,” O’Mara said. “It can be a great career path, and I am pleased we were able to help secure this important funding. Having more women learn this important trade will help break down old, incorrect stereotypes.” The program, “Rosie’s Girls,” is designed to familiarize young women with safety, tools, theoretical basics of electrical and telecommunications installation, and jobsite conditions, as well as an introduction to other career paths in the building and construction trades. This is a partnership with ATEI and the public-school districts in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties. “This program is a great way to give the young women in Southeastern Pennsylvania hands-on training in a career field once dominated by men,” Shusterman said. “I applaud the effort by Apprentice Training for the Electrical Industry to recruit women into the trades workforce. I am happy to see the state invest in a program that will help give young women more professional opportunities.” The grants, offered through the Pennsylvania Department of Labor Read more

 

Responsible budget with historic education investments earns O’Mara’s yes vote

(Jul 08, 2022)

HARRISBURG, July 8 – State Rep. Jennifer O’Mara, D-Delaware, said she supports this year’s state spending plan, particularly noting increased education funding with mental health and safety grants, funding for the Delaware County Health Department and environmental preservation initiatives. “This budget bill makes historic investments in education, sensibly uses federal American Rescue Plan dollars and directly benefits the people of Delco, so I voted in favor of it,” O’Mara said. Funding has also been earmarked for mental health and school safety initiatives. Each school district gets $100,000, plus $15 per student, in the forms of both a physical safety grant and a mental health grant, totaling $200,000 in student health and safety funding per district. Under this spending plan, Delaware County will receive 15.4% more education funding than last year; simultaneously, property tax rent rebates under the state’s PTRR Program will be increased. Recipients will receive an additional one-time check that is equal to 70% of what they receive in this year’s rebate. “We were able to increase Property Tax/Rent Rebates thanks to money Pennsylvania had received from the American Rescue Plan. While I would have liked to help more seniors living on fixed incomes get money back, I’m glad we were able to give them something extra,” O’Mara said. Read more

 

Kenyatta, O’Mara comment on budget funding for hunger free campus program

(Jul 08, 2022)

HARRISBURG, July 8 – State Reps. Malcolm Kenyatta, D-Phila., and Jennifer O’Mara, D-Delaware, are applauding the inclusion of the hunger free campus initiative they have championed in Harrisburg in this year’s state budget. Kenyatta and O’Mara were the lead co-sponsors of the program. O’Mara said the following: “One in nine people in our state are struggling with hunger. Furthermore, between one-third and one-half of college students are food-insecure. Representative Kenyatta and I recognized this problem over a year ago and introduced the Hunger Free Campus Act to ensure that every student can easily access nutritious food. We are immensely proud to see $1 million dollars finally reserved in this year’s budget to address this crisis that touches every corner of the commonwealth. As a first-generation college student who worked three jobs and took out extra student loans to be able to afford tuition, textbooks, and food, I know how necessary this initiative is to Pennsylvania’s students.” Kenyatta agreed with O’Mara. “One in nine people in our state are struggling with hunger. Furthermore, between one-third and one-half of college students are food-insecure. Representative O’Mara and I recognized this problem over a year ago and introduced the Hunger Free Campus Act to ensure that every student can easily access nutritious food.” He continued. “We engaged stakeholders, Read more

 

BI-WEEKLY E-BLAST: Budget negotiations at a standstill

(Jul 01, 2022)

June is budget season for the legislature, and the deadline is June 30th. But as I write this email, on the morning of July 1st, we still have not finalized this year’s spending plan. Read more

 

BI-WEEKLY E-BLAST (June 16): Weekend of Celebrations - Juneteenth & Father's Day

(Jun 16, 2022)

Sunday, June 19, is Juneteenth. This holiday, formally known as Juneteenth Independence Day, commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. Read more

 

O’Mara organizes bipartisan support for presentation of Delco Day citation this weekend

(Jun 09, 2022)

SPRINGFIELD, June 8 – State Rep. Jennifer O’Mara, accompanied by fellow Democratic and Republican Delaware County PA House members, will come together this Saturday to commemorate Delco Day. Lawmakers will present an official House citation to Delaware County recognizing June 10 as Delco Day, symbolizing a play on the calendar date and the county’s area code. The citation will be presented at this year’s host for Delco Day festivities, Marty Magee’s Irish Pub, 1110 Lincoln Ave., Prospect Park. Live music and activities will take place from 2 p.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday, June 11 into Sunday, June 12. “June 10, or 6/10, is an annual celebration of all things Delco. Our county is one of resilience, grit, and charm but, most importantly, unity. This is why Democratic and Republican state reps came to recognize this special day, to truly capture the essence of our community,” O’Mara said. Delco Day supports the HEADstrong Foundation, which works to provide housing for cancer patients. More information is available by calling O’Mara’s office at 610-544-9878. Additional details on Delco Day are also available online at https://delcolive.com/ . Read more

 

BI-WEEKLY E-BLAST (June 3): June Updates from Rep. O'Mara

(Jun 03, 2022)

Today, June 3rd, is National Gun Violence Awareness Day aka Wear Orange Day. Read more

 

BI-WEEKLY E-BLAST (May 19): Thank you Delco police, EMS, and poll workers!

(May 19, 2022)

Wrap up your annual spring cleaning at a free shred and e-waste event that I’m hosting in partnership with state Sen. Amanda Cappelletti this weekend! Read more

 

BI-WEEKLY E-BLAST (May 6): Preparing for the May 17th Primary

(May 06, 2022)

The May 17 primary is right around the corner! As there are no constitutional ballot questions this time, only registered Democrats and Republicans may cast their ballots in this primary election. Read more

 

BI-WEEKLY E-BLAST (April 22): Earth Day and Election Day in Delco

(Apr 22, 2022)

Happy Earth Day! Did you know that Pennsylvania’s constitution guarantees the right to clean air, clean water, and open space? Read more

 

O’Mara announces $2.5M in grants benefiting Delco residents

(Apr 19, 2022)

SPRINGFIELD, April 19 – State Rep. Jennifer O’Mara today announced that Delaware County and organizations within have been awarded $2.5 million in grants to help create local apprenticeship programs, invest in electric vehicles and charging stations, and heighten safety measures at a local place of worship. “It’s rewarding to see state dollars working to preserve two of our constitutional rights – our right to religious freedom plus our state constitution guarantees Pennsylvanians the right to clean air and pure water,” O’Mara said. Funding has been awarded as follows: Beth El-Ner Tamid: $20,000 from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency to strengthen the synagogue’s safety and security measures. Delaware County: Two grants, both worth $300,000, from the Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant program , to go toward electric vehicle usage. One grant will go toward purchasing 69 electric cars for use by county departments, with 29 dedicated to the new health department for health care visits around the county. The second grant will install 22 Level 2 dual-plug charging stations, for a total of 44 chargers. The following grants were awarded through PAsmart and will provide regional employment and educational opportunities: BAYADA Home Health Care: $650,000 to Read more

 

BI-WEEKLY E-BLAST (April 8): Fighting for families from Delco to Harrisburg

(Apr 08, 2022)

Last week, I was glad to meet with students from Temple University and the University of Pittsburgh, plus rally with students from across the commonwealth to bring two important issues into the Capitol – tuition costs and college food insecurity. Read more

 

BI-WEEKLY E-BLAST (March 25): PA Supreme Court finalizes new district maps

(Mar 25, 2022)

The PA Supreme Court finalized the Legislative Reapportionment Commission’s new maps last week. The maps were deemed constitutional and all legal challenges have been resolved, so these maps have officially been approved. Read more

 

Rep. O'Mara's March 2022 print newsletter

(Mar 21, 2022)

Rep. O'Mara's March 2022 print newsletter including information on grant money brought home, reapportionment, upcoming events and more. Read more

 

BI-WEEKLY E-BLAST (March 11): Pennsylvania and Delco stand with Ukraine

(Mar 11, 2022)

As the conflict in Ukraine continues unfolding, it’s important that we all show our support for the people of Ukraine in any way we can. Read more

 

BI-WEEKLY E-BLAST (Feb. 25): Recognizing our community's emergency responders

(Feb 25, 2022)

In a few of my past e-mails, I’ve mentioned a 24-year-old Springfield resident, Gregory, who is in urgent need of a kidney donor. Gregory has been diagnosed with end-stage renal failure, membranous nephropathy and undergoes dialysis seven days and seven nights a week. Read more

 

Policy discussion: Construction workers and unemployment compensation

(Feb 15, 2022)

During a hearing of the House Democratic Policy Committee Monday, lawmakers explored the challenges Pennsylvania’s unemployment compensation system had for construction workers and how the legislature can work with the Department of Labor & Industry to make the process better and easier to navigate. Read more

 

BI-WEEKLY E-BLAST (Feb. 11): Budget season begins in Harrisburg

(Feb 11, 2022)

Budget season officially commenced this week in Harrisburg. Read more

 

O’Mara announces nearly $83,000 in grants for local emergency responders

(Feb 11, 2022)

SPRINGFIELD, Feb. 11 – State Rep. Jennifer O’Mara, D-Delaware, announced seven area fire and EMS companies have been awarded grants through the Office of the State Fire Commissioner. “It’s always rewarding to see the state prioritize our emergency responders. They show up during times of crisis and help people overcome some of the scariest, darkest moments of their lives,” O’Mara said. “This funding will help them not only effectively do their jobs, but I hope also serve as a thank you for all that they do.” Local grants were awarded as follows: Springfield Fire Co.: $15,000. Broomall Fire Co.: $15,000. Radnor Fire Co. of Wayne: $15,000. Radnor Fire Co. of Wayne (EMS): $8,325. Morton Rutledge Fire Co.: $13,000. Marple Township Ambulance Corps.: 8,325. Villanova Emergency Medical Services: $8,325. The grants can be used for facility upgrades, equipment, debt reduction, training, education and public outreach, recruitment and retention, construction savings accounts, overtime costs associated with backfilling positions while firefighters are attending training (career departments only), and revenue loss due to COVID-19 impacts. “In addition to these grants, we also just passed separate legislation this week to distribute $25 million in American Rescue Plan dollars to emergency services companies throughout the commonwealth,” O’Mara said. Read more

 

BI-WEEKLY E-BLAST: Legislature passed budget Friday evening
Jul 15, 2022

O’Mara, Shusterman applaud funding for women’s apprenticeship program
Jul 15, 2022

Responsible budget with historic education investments earns O’Mara’s yes vote
Jul 08, 2022

Kenyatta, O’Mara comment on budget funding for hunger free campus program
Jul 08, 2022

BI-WEEKLY E-BLAST: Budget negotiations at a standstill
Jul 01, 2022

BI-WEEKLY E-BLAST (June 16): Weekend of Celebrations - Juneteenth & Father's Day
Jun 16, 2022

O’Mara organizes bipartisan support for presentation of Delco Day citation this weekend
Jun 09, 2022

BI-WEEKLY E-BLAST (June 3): June Updates from Rep. O'Mara
Jun 03, 2022

BI-WEEKLY E-BLAST (May 19): Thank you Delco police, EMS, and poll workers!
May 19, 2022

BI-WEEKLY E-BLAST (May 6): Preparing for the May 17th Primary
May 06, 2022

BI-WEEKLY E-BLAST (April 22): Earth Day and Election Day in Delco
Apr 22, 2022

O’Mara announces $2.5M in grants benefiting Delco residents
Apr 19, 2022

BI-WEEKLY E-BLAST (April 8): Fighting for families from Delco to Harrisburg
Apr 08, 2022

BI-WEEKLY E-BLAST (March 25): PA Supreme Court finalizes new district maps
Mar 25, 2022

Rep. O'Mara's March 2022 print newsletter
Mar 21, 2022

BI-WEEKLY E-BLAST (March 11): Pennsylvania and Delco stand with Ukraine
Mar 11, 2022

BI-WEEKLY E-BLAST (Feb. 25): Recognizing our community's emergency responders
Feb 25, 2022

Policy discussion: Construction workers and unemployment compensation
Feb 15, 2022

BI-WEEKLY E-BLAST (Feb. 11): Budget season begins in Harrisburg
Feb 11, 2022

O’Mara announces nearly $83,000 in grants for local emergency responders
Feb 11, 2022