Rep. Ben Sanchez

📌Reminder: One more week to get your donations in for our Annual Back-To-School Donation Drive, benefitting the Breathing Room Foundation.
Thank you to all who have already donated and for those coming this week before the deadline of August 7th. Your generosity is greatly appreciated by both my office and the families who benefit. 🎒📓🖍️✏️🍎

As we close out our annual recognition of Disability Pride Month, shedding a light on the invaluable contributions and unique perspectives that people with both visible and invisible disabilities bring to our world, know that as a legislator, I’ll continue to advocate for a more inclusive and accessible commonwealth for all.

My appreciation for those who advocate every day for a safe and welcoming environment for residents of all abilities here in Pennsylvania does not disappear with the change of a calendar month. I see the hard work you dedicate your lives to and with gratitude, I thank you.

🎉 Pre-Night Out Block Party 🎉
Monday, August 3rd from 5pm-8pm
Join us for a fun-filled evening with food, music, and community vibes!
We look forward to seeing everyone there!

There is no place for hate-filled rhetoric, violent threats, or racially targeted harassment in our communities. No one, including those who choose to serve the public, should be subjected to intimidation because of the color of their skin.

I stand in solidarity with my colleagues and with everyone who has faced racial abuse in condemning these disgraceful acts. We must speak with one voice to reject racism, denounce attempts to intimidate Black and Brown leaders, and reaffirm that hate and fear have no place in our democracy.

Budget topic breakdown, PECO advisory, Montco Delegation Statement and more...

https://app.indigov.com/pub/outreach/ed71eee8-e94b-4963-9015-164ff2dfe43c

Last week Gina and Mackenzie from my district office were able to visit the Breathing Room Foundation to help pack some backpacks with school supplies for the upcoming school year. The need is greater than ever for support, and we are still collecting donations until August 7th.

Feel free to drop off NEW school supplies at my district office during normal walk in hours. See the flyer below for some individual item ideas and thank you!

Reminder that our next SEPTA Senior ID Sign-up Pop-up will be taking place at the Upper Dublin Public Library from 10am to 12pm tomorrow, July 23rd. Come and sign up for your free SEPTA Senior ride pass or renew a soon-to-expire one at any of our mobile Pop-Up events this summer or any time at my district office.

💲Budget Highlight: Education Funding🎓

This year's budget yet again increased funding for public schools in the commonwealth by $670 million, a bulk of which ensures that there is adequate funding for all spread throughout the state. This important investment in our students will help to ensure more school districts receive the funding they need to reach the benchmarks for success. I am happy to say that we are bringing home an increase of funds to our own Abington and Upper Dublin School Districts as a result of this budget.

Another important portion of the Education funding was $50 million for basic education and special education. The purpose of this money, while we wish could be more, is to help ensure that students who need more support receive it without cutting costs elsewhere.

Safety and security are extremely important in today's world. That is why, for the first time ever, Pennsylvania is investing a portion of the budget to school mapping. This crucial tool will help keep students safe, understand accessibility needs better and analyze spatial date related to educational resources, demographics and performance within school districts, aiming to address inequities and optimize planning for facilities and student access.

There is much more to know about the Education funding portion of the 2026/27 Pennsylvania budget, including increased funding for Mental Health support, Grow PA Scholarships, student teacher stipends and more. Feel free to check out https://www.pa.gov/governor/pennsylvania-s-budget for more information on this year's budget.

Last week my office set up at Rydal Park for pop up "Septa Senior ID Sign Up" hours and it was a great success! They were happy to connect with the many residents who came by the table. This week they're setting up at our usual mobile office hours at the Upper Dublin Public Library on Thursday from 10am-12pm. Feel free to stop by and see them there!

If you have a suggestion on where our mobile Septa Senior ID hours should pop up next, comment below and we'll see if we can make it happen.

Another air quality alert day today. If you can, stay indoors and wear a mask when having to be outdoors for an extended time.

Stay safe, everyone! My thoughts are with our friends to the north as they battle these horrendous wildfires.

🟣Montgomery County has issued a Code Purple Air Quality Action Day for Friday, July 17. All County parks and trails will be closed to the public.

A Code Purple Air Quality Action Day means air quality is VERY UNHEALTHY for everyone due to elevated levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) from wildfire smoke. All persons should limit or avoid outdoor activities. Pets and other animals should be kept indoors to the extent possible.

📣Guidance on Limiting Exposure

📌Everyone: Limit outdoor physical activity and go indoors to cleaner air if experiencing symptoms like coughing or shortness of breath.

📌Sensitive Groups: Individuals with chronic conditions such as heart and lung disease, older adults, children and teenagers, pregnant women, and people with limited ability to reduce exposure to outdoor air should avoid all physical activity outdoors

📌Keep indoor air safe by closing windows. If you have air conditioning and your system allows it, consider using the indoor recirculating function and/or installing a high efficiency filter. If you do not have air conditioning, staying inside with windows closed may be dangerous in hot weather. If you are hot, go someplace with air conditioning. Check 211 (https://brnw.ch/21x4c7w) to find a cooling center near you.

📌Be aware that an N95 mask can provide some protection; however, surgical and cloth masks will not provide protection due to the size of the pollution particles.

Check current air quality at https://brnw.ch/21x4c7v or on the AirNow app.

If you experience severe shortness of breath or chest tightness, call 911 or seek emergency medical care immediately.