Weekly Recap: What You Might Have Missed
This week, the 2020 Census ended, not with a bang but a whimper. Although the CensusBureau announced this summer that it needed to continue its count through the end of October in order to ensure accuracy, the Trump administration abruptly reversed course and sought to end the count a month earlier than the experts wanted. After several legal skirmishes, the administration succeeded in shutting down the count this week. We are so grateful to the dedicated census workers and volunteers who worked so hard to produce an accurate count for our community under such challenging conditions.
Another way you can empower your community is making sure your vote counts.
Today, October 19th, is the last day to register to vote! Register NOW at: votespa.com
Already registered to vote? Request your mail-in ballot here
http://VotesPA.com/ApplyMailBallot
For Delco voting information and ballot drop-off locations, click here:
https://www.delcopa.gov/vote/index.html
For Philly voting information, ballot drop-off, and early voting locations, click here:
https://www.philadelphiavotes.com/
For Montco voting information and ballot drop-off locations, click here:
https://montcopa.org/753/Voter-Services
DON’T FORGET: You must place your completed ballot inside the provided “secrecy envelope” in order for your vote to be counted!
Upcoming Events:
TUESDAY: Join us for a COVID-19 Update Tele-Town Hall with my colleague Rep. Donna Shalala, Montco Commissioner Val Arkoosh and local health officials. Have your questions answered by dialing 855–962–1125 at 6:30PM.
WEDNESDAY: Facebook Live Discussion
FRIDAY: Coffee with your Congresswoman
Here’s how I spent this past week working for you:
Walked you through Pennsylvania’s mail-in ballot
We’ve gotten a lot of questions about mail-in ballots and I wanted to take a few minutes to walk you through it.
Watch here: https://www.facebook.com/RepMGS/videos/386682692338144/
Hosted a Coffee with Your Congresswoman about Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) and small businesses
Jim Burnett from West Philadelphia Financial Services Institution joined me on Tuesday morning to discuss the importance of CDFIs, the impact this pandemic has had on small businesses, and our path forward. We had a productive conversation answering your questions about how we can empower our hardest-hit neighborhoods with the resources they need now more than ever.
Listen to our conversation here: https://www.facebook.com/RepMGS/videos/635320913847163/
Sent a message to the USDA: End discrimination in hunger relief
I was proud to be joined by Representatives Dwight Evans, Madeleine Dean, Susan Wild, and Brendan Boyle on a letter to USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue expressing concerns about the recent changes made to the content of the food boxes that are distributed under the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) which prioritizes combination boxes consisting of meat, dairy products, and produce, creating obstacles to distributing food assistance to many of our constituents in need. We need to ensure that all our constituents, no matter their zip code, religion, or the communities to which they belong, have the resources they need to feed themselves and their families.
Visited Oakmont Farmers Market and Bryn Mawr Farmers market
I will never stop fighting to protect and expand access to sustainable options for locally sourced food! Oakmont Farmers Market is open Wednesdays, 3–6 PM until Thanksgiving and the Bryn Mawr Farmers Market is open Saturdays, 9am-1pm until Thanksgiving, with new winter hours to follow.
Oakmont Farmers Market:
https://www.oakmontfarmersmarket.org
Bryn Mawr Farmers Market:
https://www.farmtocitymarkets.com/markets/bryn-mawr
Joined Media Providence Friends School students for a teach-in and march to highlight immigrant treatment and rights
I worked for many years representing immigrants and asylum seekers before I took the fight to Congress where I remain committed to repairing our complex and broken immigration system through common sense policy measures. Our country’s failure to address this humanitarian crisis, with diplomacy, foreign aid, and humane border policies is unacceptable. Our diversity is our promise — Immigrant communities deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.
Observed early voting at Media Government Center and attended the opening of the temporary voter service center at Union Stadium in Chester
In 2019, the Pennsylvania legislature passed an election reform bill allowing every voter to request a mail in ballot, if they choose to do so. Between now and October 27, voters can even go to a county election bureau, request a mail in ballot, and turn it in the same day. This past weekend, the Philadelphia Union joined other sports teams across the country in offering it’s stadium to local election officials to allow socially distance mail in voting. I attended the opening of the temporary election services facility at Subaru Stadium in Chester on Friday.
Followed up with the Social Security Administration about simplifying the repayment appeal process for Americans who received benefits in error
When the SSA mistakenly overpays someone, it often sends a notice demanding repayment months, or even years after the fact. Social security recipients frequently are unaware of the agency’s mistake, and may be confused or frightened by the demand and threatened penalties.
In August, I joined Rep. Katie Porter on a letter to the SSA urging it to simplify the repayment appeal process for Americans who receive benefits in error. We are proud that SSA has since made some changes, but more must be done to streamline the process — So we’re following up.
Read our letter here:
https://twitter.com/repkatieporter/status/1317205710241890304?s=21
I continue to meet with our local public health and community leaders each week as we work together to map our path out of this pandemic and towards recovery. Thank you for everything you’re doing to keep your friends, family, and neighbors safe. Keep social distancing. Keep wearing your mask. We know that these are challenging times, but we can support each other to come through stronger.
Our office is here to help as we navigate this crisis together. You can reach us by phone at 610- 626–2020 or by sending me a message through our website at scanlon.house.gov/contact
