Legislator spotlight: State Rep. Morgan Cephas

What are your top three legislative priorities in 2022? My top three legislative priorities include health equity and increasing access to care, including improving maternal health outcomes, education and workforce development and affordable housing. 

What is your  biggest motivator as a legislator? My constituents are my biggest motivator. Sitting on the opposite side of City Avenue from Lower Merion while serving a diverse district, where on one end of the district houses are selling for over $1million and on the other end of the district residents are losing their homes and facing extreme poverty, I am aware of the possibilities that could exist for the most underserved communities. And I am committed to using my seat at the table to make improvements for all Pennsylvanians, no matter their zip code. 

Where do you shop locally for food? Unfortunately, I am forced to shop at grocery stores and farmers’ markets either outside of my district or on the border. While I try to keep business in my district and within the city limits, I often find myself in one of our neighboring counties because of the simple fact that communities in my district are real-life food deserts. 

What is your favorite vacation destination? I like any place with a vibrant culture, warm weather and a slow-paced environment.
 
What are the biggest challenges for grocers in your district? I’d say the biggest challenges for grocers in my district are county competition and non-union operations. With residents being in such proximity to Delaware and Montgomery counties, they often wander to those areas to do their grocery shopping while running other errands and daily tasks. I must add that the Philadelphia Beverage Tax did not help. We often hear that Philadelphia residents cross county lines to purchase sugared beverage items in bulk. 

What are your biggest challenges and successes as a legislator? The biggest challenge as a legislator is knowing the length of time it takes to get a good idea to the governor’s desk. You see issues in your community that need to be resolved, but you know that even if you can get a law passed that would help solve it, it can be months or years before that vision becomes a reality. 

I’d say my biggest success as a legislator is building relationships with advocates for issues that need to be addressed. I’ve done well at being intentional about having people most impacted by issues at the table with me as I craft and advocate for laws in Pennsylvania.

What is your favorite food or meal to cook? I love to cook salmon. It’s so easy to flavor up in different ways and pop right in the oven with my busy schedule. 
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What do you like to do for fun? I’m chill. I like to hang out with my family. A day trip to visit my sisters or a night out on the patio make for a good time for me.

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