Comitta Sworn In to Second Term as State Senator
Harrisburg, Pa (January 7, 2025) – State Senator Carolyn Comitta was sworn in today to her second term representing Pennsylvania’s 19th Senatorial District.
“I am grateful to again earn the trust of the voters,” she said. “Over the past four years, I’ve worked to ensure that we have strong schools, healthy and safe communities, a clean environment, and opportunities for families and workers to thrive and prosper throughout Chester County and the Commonwealth. As we embark on a new legislative session, I look forward to continuing that work together as we strive for a better, brighter future for all.”
Comitta, of West Chester, was first elected to serve the 19th Senatorial District in 2020. In November, she was reelected by a 13 percent margin of victory. She is the first woman to hold the seat.
Before that she served two terms, beginning in 2016, as State Representative for the 156th Legislative District.
Comitta was first elected to public office as a member of West Chester Borough Council. Later, she became the first woman and first bipartisan-elected mayor of West Chester.
Comitta began her professional career as a public school teacher and curriculum advisor, developing special and gifted education programs for the Octorara Area School District. In the legislature, she’s combined her lifelong passion for teaching and the need to address the climate crisis in serving as both minority chair of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee and a member of the Senate Education Committee.
In the previous legislative session, she also served on the Aging and Youth, Agriculture and Rural Affairs, and Local Government Committee, as well as co-chair of the Pennsylvania Legislative Climate Caucus.
The 19th Senatorial District encompasses a large portion of Chester County. It includes the municipalities of Coatesville, Downingtown, Easttown, East Bradford, East Caln, East Fallowfield, East Goshen, East Nottingham, Elk, Highland, Londonderry, Lower Oxford, Malvern, Modena, Newlin, New London, Oxford, Penn, South Coatesville, Tredyffrin, Upper Oxford, Valley, West Bradford, West Chester, West Fallowfield, West Goshen, West Marlborough, West Nottingham, West Whiteland, and Willistown.
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Senator Comitta is Sworn in to Serve the 19th Senatorial District and People of Pennsylvania
Comitta Announces Funding to Improve Rail Freight Infrastructure
West Chester, Pa (January 3, 2025) – A short-line railroad operating in Chester County was awarded state funding to rehabilitate eight bridges and improve rail freight mobility, state Senator Carolyn Comitta said.
The East Penn Railroad, which operates 114 miles of track in eastern Pennsylvania and northern Delaware, was awarded $455,000 to rehabilitate eight bridges on the Octoraro, Perkiomen, Lancaster Northern, and York branch lines in Chester, Montgomery, Berks, and York counties.
The funding, which comes as part of $55 million in total state funding awarded to 30 rail infrastructure projects statewide through PennDOT’s Rail Transportation Assistance and the Rail Freight Assistance programs, was recently approved by the State Transportation Commission. In total, the investment is expected to create or sustain 344 jobs across the Commonwealth.
“Investments in our rail freight infrastructure help maintain and grow jobs, reduce the number of trucks on our roadways, strengthen our supply chain, and ensure businesses – especially farms and agriculture – can move goods to customers efficiently and smoothly,” Comitta said.
“Expanding and improving Pennsylvania’s rail freight network will support family-sustaining jobs and connect Pennsylvania communities to the global economy while bolstering local economic development,” said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. “These investments will create opportunities for generations of Pennsylvanians to come and will provide key mobility across the Commonwealth.”
Formed in 2007 through a merger of East Penn Railways and Penn Eastern Rail Lines, the East Penn Railroad is owned by Regional Rail. It operates on 9 different lines with a roster of more than a dozen locomotives.
Pennsylvania has 65 operating railroads, which is more than any other state. PennDOT is committed to working with private rail operators and rail-served businesses to construct new rail lines and assist in maintaining and improving Pennsylvania’s roughly 5,600 miles of freight lines.
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Comitta Announces Expanded Satellite Office Hour Schedule
West Chester, Pa (December 26, 2024) – To help bring the services of her district office throughout Chester County, state Senator Carolyn Comitta is expanding her outreach office schedule with new locations in Malvern and Oxford.
“Whether in person, over the phone, or online, we’re meeting our neighbors where they are, connecting them with important resources, answering any questions they may have, and working to address the issues directly impacting Chester County communities,” Comitta said. “That’s why I am expanding our outreach office hours to serve even more communities.”
Beginning January 2025, Comitta’s team will offer office outreach services at the Oxford Public Library on the 4th Wednesday of every month from 10 a.m. to noon. Starting in February, outreach hours will be available at the Malvern Public Library from 10 a.m. to noon on the 1st Tuesday of the Month.
Throughout the new year, Comitta’s office will also continue to host outreach hours at the following times and locations:
1st Wednesday of Every Month
Coatesville Public Library
501 E Lincoln Highway, Coatesville, PA 19320
10 a.m. – noon
2nd Tuesday of Every Month
Brandywine Valley Active Aging – Coatesville
250 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd Coatesville, PA 19320
10 a.m. – noon
2nd Wednesday of Every Month
Easttown Library
720 First Ave, Berwyn, PA 19312
2 p.m. – 4 p.m.
2nd Thursday of Every Month
West Chester Area Senior Center
530 E. Union Street, West Chester, PA 19382
10 a.m. – noon
3rd Tuesday of Every Month
Brandywine Valley Active Aging – Downingtown
40 W. Pennsylvania Avenue, Downingtown, PA 19335
11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
3rd Wednesday of Every Month
Oxford Senior Center
12 E. Locust Street, Oxford, PA 19363
10 a.m. – noon
Constituent services staff members are available to assist residents with a number of issues, including applying for the Property Tax and Rent Rebate Program, SEPTA Key Senior ID Cards, Birth Certificates, Unclaimed Property, and more.
Walk-ins are welcome or appointments can be scheduled by contacting Senator Comitta’s district office at 610-692-2112.
For more information and a full list of outreach hours and events go to pasenatorcomitta.com/outreach
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Comitta: WCU Awarded Funding to Prevent Sexual Assault on Campus
West Chester, Pa (December 16, 2024) – West Chester University was awarded nearly $50,000 in state funding to support ongoing efforts to prevent and combat sexual assault on campus, state Senator Carolyn Comitta said.
The funding comes through It’s On Us PA, a statewide program administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) to support strategies and resources to stop sexual assault and misconduct on college campuses.
“Stopping sexual assault starts with changing the culture on campus. Through It’s On Us PA, we’re opening a larger conversation about recognizing, identifying, and intervening in situations where consent has not or cannot be given,” said Comitta, who serves on the Senate Education Committee. “We all have a role to play in ensuring our colleges, universities, and institutions of higher education are safe, healthy, and productive learning environments where everyone is treated with respect and dignity.
“As a West Chester University alumna, I commend the university, its staff, and students for being leaders in working to prevent and address sexual assault and misconduct,” she added.
The program brings together education leaders and all Pennsylvanians to be part of the solution in protecting students from sexual violence by raising awareness about sexual assault, teaching participants that assault includes non-consensual sex, advising them on how to identify dangerous situations, empowering them to intervene, and urging them to create an environment of support for victims and survivors.
Modeled on the success of the national It’s On Us campaign, in 2016 It’s On Us PA became the nation’s first statewide campaign to improve campus safety by supporting colleges and university communities in reframing the conversation around sexual violence and empowering them to develop solutions.
“PDE is committed to supporting efforts that keep college students and their campuses safe, inclusive, and welcoming for all students,” said Interim Acting PDE Secretary Angela Fitterer. “All Pennsylvanians deserve a safe learning environment, and the It’s On Us PA grant program cultivates change and provides colleges, universities, and postsecondary institutions with the support and resources necessary to protect learning environments and ensure they are free from sexual assault, harassment, and violence.”
The funding for West Chester University comes as part of more than $1.6 million in It’s On Us PA grants awarded to more than 44 colleges, universities, and other postsecondary institutions across the Commonwealth.
Eligible institutions and schools with 10,000 or fewer students were able to request up to $40,000; those with more than 10,000 students were able to apply for up to $60,000. Private licensed career schools that do not offer specialized associate degrees could request up to $10,000.
Since 2016, 301 It’s On Us PA grants totaling nearly $8.7 million to 100 post-secondary institutions across the state – including public and private two-year and four-year colleges and universities.
In the past, West Chester University and Lincoln University have received grant funding through It’s On Us PA.
Pennsylvanians are also invited to visit the It’s On Us PA webpage and take the pledge to “recognize that non-consensual sex is sexual assault, identify situations in which sexual assault may occur, intervene in situations where consent has not or cannot be given, and create an environment in which sexual assault is unacceptable and survivors are supported.”
Chester County Lawmakers Laud Grant Funding to Clean Up Rivers and Streams in Chesapeake Bay Watershed
Harrisburg, Dec. 12 — Members of the Chester County state legislative delegation are pleased to report a state and federal investment in keeping the Chesapeake Bay Watershed clean from its tributaries in Chester County.
The Chester County Conservation District was awarded more than $67,000 in funding directed by the Department of Environmental Protection.
“Investing in cleaning the waterways that flow into the Chesapeake Bay is more than an environmental effort – it’s a commitment to safeguarding a vital ecosystem, supporting local economies and preserving a legacy of natural beauty and abundance for generations to come,” said state Rep. Danielle Friel Otten, D-Chester.
The DEP awarded grants through the 2025 Countywide Action Plan (CAP) Implementation Grants to county teams across Pennsylvania’s share of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.
“Stormwater runoff and agricultural runoff remain leading sources of water quality impairment in Chester County and Pennsylvania,” said state Sen. Carolyn Comitta, minority chair of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee. “These investments will help prevent pollution and restore and protect the local watersheds that are crucial to environmental health, public health, and the strong quality of life in our communities.”
Pennsylvania has made historic progress in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Earlier this year, the Shapiro administration announced that for the first time in its history, the Chesapeake Bay showed steady overall improvement, earning a C+ grade from the University of Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay and Watershed Report Card – the highest grade ever awarded to the overall health of the Bay since the report was created.
“The Conservation District is a leader in environmental stewardship and I’m glad they’ve received this funding,” said state Rep. Christina Sappey, D-Chester. “They will work hard to assure the rivers, streams and creeks running through Chester County are clean and will not have a negative impact on the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.”
“Our environmental impact isn’t just local, as everything always flows downstream,” said state Rep. Dan Williams, D-Chester. “It’s imperative that we do our part here in Chester County to ensure that our waterways are clean and healthy. Not contributing to further pollution of the Chesapeake Bay is our moral obligation. The Chesapeake watershed is an ecological, cultural and recreational treasure that must be protected and continue to be restored.”
“I am extremely pleased to hear of PA DEP’s latest grant to help clean our county’s tributaries to the Chesapeake Bay,” said state Rep. Chris Pielli, D-Chester. “Our fragile ecosystem, local economy and overall health depends on this type of dedicated investment and regional cooperation to reverse decades of neglect and negative environmental impacts.”
State Rep. Paul Friel, D-Chester, said, “This funding in an important investment in our natural infrastructure- ensuring that our families, farms and communities have clean and healthy waterways for generations to come.”
“Protecting our watersheds, groundwater and waterways should be a top priority for all levels of government,” said state Sen. Katie Muth. “Pennsylvania’s waterways have been contaminated from decades of legacy pollution and industrial runoff and continue to face threats on every front from extraction operations, improper waste disposal, pollution runoff and pesticides. It is imperative that both state and federal governments provide adequate resources to continue to fund initiatives that protect and remediate our waterways and our watersheds in our region and across the Commonwealth. I genuinely appreciate the continued hard work of the Chester County Conservation District in all their efforts.”
The 2025 CAP Implementation Grants include $9.6 million from the state Environmental Stewardship Fund and $14.4 million in EPA funding, including $7.1 million in Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) funds, to support counties’ implementation of their local priority initiatives in their CAPs.
Comitta Announces Funding for Communities that Care of Downingtown
West Chester, Pa (December 11, 2024) – State Senator Carolyn Comitta secured $25,000 in state funding to support Communities that Care of Greater Downingtown (CTC), a nonprofit organization that fosters positive mental health and youth development.
The funds, awarded through the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, will support CTC’s development, public outreach, and communication efforts, as well as its HYPE (Health Youth Positive Energy) clubs at local schools.
“Communities That Care of Greater Downingtown is grateful to Senator Carolyn Comitta for her partnership and assistance in securing funding for CTC to continue providing prevention programs in the Downingtown community. Senator Comitta’s commitment to healthy communities and youth is critical in our mission to prevent substance abuse, promote mental health, and empower youth to make positive choices,” said Bethann Cinelli, D.ED., CTC Executive Director.
“As someone who grew up in Downingtown and attended Downingtown High School, I am grateful for the work that Communities That Care is doing to support, educate, and inspire young people to make healthy choices that lead to success in school and life,” said Comitta, who serves on both the Senate Education Committee and the Aging and Youth Committee. “I want to thank CTC staff, volunteers, supporters, and all the students working to support each other through its invaluable programs.”
With nearly 80 active members, HYPE students are working to create and promote healthy school communities through advocacy and leadership to prevent substance use and promote positive mental and emotional well-being. They raise awareness and engage youth in prevention initiatives through peer-to-peer messaging, sharing youth perspectives, social media, and sending consistent messages about the power of healthy choices.
HYPE student clubs currently operate with the guidance of dedicated faculty mentors at six Downingtown Area School District schools: the Marsh Creek 6th Grade Center, Lionville Middle School, Downingtown Middle School, Downingtown West High School, Downingtown East High School and the STEM Academy.
CTC is a coalition of organizations, businesses, schools, faith communities, law enforcement and healthcare providers that use evidence-based prevention programs and policies to create a safer, supportive community for youth and strengthen community collaboration in prevention efforts.
For more information about CTC or information on starting a HYPE club at your school, visit www.dtownctc.org
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Comitta, Kane Secure Funding for LCH Community Pharmacy
West Chester, Pa (December 4, 2024) – Plans for LCH Health and Community Services to open a pharmacy got a major boost this week thanks to state funding secured by state Senators Carolyn Comitta and John Kane.
The grant funding, awarded through the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, will support the nonprofit community health organization in providing outpatient medications to low and lower-income patients at a significantly reduced cost.
“At LCH Health and Community Services, we are committed to enhancing the well-being of our patients and the community. By owning and operating our own pharmacy, we can ensure that our patients receive the highest quality care with seamless access to medications. This step allows us to offer more personalized, affordable, and convenient pharmaceutical services, ultimately improving health outcomes for those we serve. Our pharmacy will be a cornerstone of our mission to provide comprehensive, community-centered healthcare,” said Ronan W. Gannon, CEO, LCH Health and Community Services
LCH Pharmacy will utilize the 340B pharmacy program to deliver affordable and accessible medications to its patients, many of whom are our most vulnerable community members. Located at LCH’s Kennett Square location, the pharmacy will also offer home delivery to LCH patients in the area, including those in Oxford and West Grove.
LCH Pharmacy will enable the clinical team to work closely with pharmacists and patients to improve medication adherence and outcomes, especially for chronic conditions. For example, last year, LCH served 1,136 individuals diagnosed with diabetes and 1,464 individuals diagnosed with hypertension. Patients who utilize the LCH Pharmacy will benefit from LCH providers having the opportunity to discuss the best medications available for them and their needs.
“LCH continues to expand its community health services while remaining true to its values and patient-centered approach. Offering an on-site patient pharmacy is another big step forward in empowering all people to experience optimal health and wellness – regardless of income, resources, or background,” Comitta said. “I want to thank the LCH staff, volunteers, supporters, and board of members for their continued commitment to maintaining and growing this vital community health asset.”
“LCH is taking healthcare to the next level by ensuring patient care continues beyond checkups by making medications more affordable and accessible for our neighbors,” said Senator John I. Kane. “This pharmacy aligns perfectly with LCH’s mission of serving our community while providing comprehensive, quality care. From pediatrics to dental care to behavioral health, LCH remains essential to maintaining the health and strength of our community. This new pharmacy at LCH exemplifies the kind of project I am always proud to support.”
“We are especially grateful to Senators Comitta and Kane for their unwavering support and dedication to our community. Their advocacy has been instrumental in making this vision a reality, and we look forward to continuing our partnership to improve the health and lives of those we serve,” Gannon added.
Originally founded as a social services organization intended to help agricultural workers who were new to Chester County adjust to the community and access important social services, last year LCH celebrated 50 years of service to the community.
Today, LCH offers comprehensive, integrated, equitable, and accessible care at its locations in Kennett Square, West Grove, and Oxford, while remaining focused on overcoming barriers to care like language, transportation, and access. LCH provides direct health care including pediatrics, dental care, behavioral health, women’s health, and chiropractic services to individuals with or without insurance.
A Federally Qualified Health Center, LCH offers sliding scale fees based on income and family size. No one is turned away due to inability to pay. Last year, LCH served 8,490 individuals, 41 percent of whom were at 100 percent or more of the federal poverty level. Since many patients are on limited incomes and work hourly jobs, LCH offers integrated care to address as many needs as possible while they are at their appointments.
For more information on LCH, visit lchcommunityhealth.org
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Comitta: State Historical Marker Program Reopens
West Chester, Pa (December 3, 2024) – Chester County residents and organizations interested in sharing and promoting our region’s historical sites and structures can apply now for a historical marker through the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission (PHMC), state Senator Carolyn Comitta said.
The PHMC recently reopened the historical marker program, which aims to capture and celebrate the stories of significant people, places, events, and innovations that have impacted the lives of Pennsylvanians over the centuries.
“Chester County is home to almost 80 Pennsylvania historical markers – the recognizable blue signs that highlight noteworthy figures, places, and events that shaped the history of our Commonwealth and our nation,” Comitta said. “Our history belongs to all of us and this is a community-driven program. So, if you are aware of an event, person, or place worthy of being highlighted, please consider applying.”
For nearly 80 years, the PHMC has approved and installed aluminum markers featuring subjects related to the histories of Native Americans, early colonialization, government and politics, athletes, entertainers and artists, movements for freedom and equality, historic industries, commerce and utilities, and a multitude of other noteworthy topics of statewide or national significance.
As part of the program’s return, several enhancements were made to the marker nomination process – including a more streamlined application, an improved evaluation process by external reviewers, and an optional pre-application process to assist new applicants in determining the viability of their nominations in consultation with PHMC staff.
“I am pleased to announce that the Pennsylvania Historical Marker Program is returning this November with the reopening of the application process,” said PHMC Executive Director Andrea Lowery. “This is our most public program. With more than 2,500 markers, broad audiences encounter stories of our shared history throughout the Commonwealth, whether in an urban area or traveling along a country road or walking in a park. These markers represent the stories of all Pennsylvanians, and we look to the public to share the history they know and value that has helped shape the Commonwealth today. The modified application process will streamline nominations and make the program more accessible to all who are interested in participating.”
Final applications for the first round of new markers are due April 1, 2025, with the first of the new markers being cast and installed in 2026.
The physical markers, which are the property and responsibility of the Commonwealth, are not intended to be all-encompassing, but to serve as a launching point for the public to pursue self-directed learning should they desire to know more.
Additional details of the new historical marker program are available on the PA State Historic Preservation Office blog, and a video series on PHMC’s YouTube channel will explain the new process.
Nominations for historical markers may be submitted by any individual or organization and are evaluated by a panel of independent experts from throughout the state and approved by the agency’s commissioners.
In addition, members of the public may report missing or damaged markers and request revisions to outdated or inaccurate texts on existing markers.
More information on the Pennsylvania Historical Marker Program, including application guidelines, is available online at www.PAHistoricalMarkers.com.
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