Doylestown lawyer running for AG
Doylestown Democrat Joe Khan announced his campaign for state attorney general, focusing on tackling corporate and political corruption and keeping families safe.
“As a prosecutor, I’ve taken on the toughest challenges: gun violence, sexual assault and hate crimes. As a solicitor, I’ve defended our democracy from Donald Trump, stood up for abortion rights and sued Big Pharma, Big Tech and polluters to hold them accountable. I’m running for attorney general to continue my lifelong fight to keep people safe, tackle corporate and political corruption, and build a better world for our kids,” he said.
A father of two boys, he has served on the Governor’s Advisory Commission for Asian Pacific American Affairs and founded Second Generation PAC, an organization committed to making sure first- and second-generation immigrant Americans get on the ballot and win – just like his brother, state Rep. Tarik Khan.
Khan said, “As a dad, I want my kids to grow up in a more just and equitable Pennsylvania. I will be an attorney general who defends the rights of every Pennsylvanian, including access to the ballot, abortion, a clean environment, affordable healthcare and public education. I want to keep our communities both safe and fair, and protect consumers, workers and taxpayers from corruption.”
Khan is a former Bucks County solicitor, assistant U.S. Attorney and Philadelphia assistant district attorney who is now a partner at Curtin & Heefner. He’s been endorsed by, among others, Bucks County state Reps. Tim Brennan and Brian Munroe.
In 2017, Khan ran and came in second in a seven-way Democratic primary for Philadelphia district attorney, losing to Larry Krasner. ••
Accessibility to community college
Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, along with Reps. Derek Kilmer, Tom Kean Jr. and Frederica Wilson, introduced the Promoting Advancement Through Transit Help to College Act.
The legislation is endorsed by the Association of Community College Trustees.
“Lack of public transit often acts as a barrier to entry for students looking to enroll in higher education programs, particularly in rural and underserved areas,” Fitzpatrick said. “My bipartisan PATH to College Act will provide grants to encourage the expansion of public transit options near community college campuses, further expanding accessibility for students across the country. I am grateful to Reps. Kilmer, Kean, and Wilson for leading with me on this effort and look forward to advancing this bill through the House.” ••
Updated flood plans
State Rep. Tina Davis celebrated the passage of H.B. 246, a bill she introduced that would require municipalities and counties to provide notification to property owners of changes to the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s flood hazard area maps.
“With the environment constantly changing, it’s important that property owners are notified when flood hazards change and when flooding can become a potential threat,” Davis said.
FEMA works with local communities to draft new flood maps every five years. Flood maps serve multiple important purposes, including helping communities take proper precautions when undertaking new construction projects; providing guidance for land use regulations; and ensuring property owners have adequate insurance.
The bill heads to the Senate for consideration. ••
No pay for Congress during default
Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick and Abigail Spanberger introduced a bill that would block members of Congress from receiving their pay during any default or government shutdown.
The No Pay for Congress During Default or Shutdown Act would block the pay of members of Congress if the public debt limit is reached or a federal government shutdown occurs.
“Members of Congress promise to fight for their constituents in Washington, and should not be paid a taxpayer-funded salary if they cannot deliver on that promise,” Fitzpatrick said. “Our bipartisan legislation is a no-brainer — lawmakers should not be paid if we irresponsibly default on our nation’s debt.” ••
Wills for Heroes on June 24
Bucks County Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans’ Court Linda Bobrin will be hosting a free wills event on Saturday, June 24. This event, part of the Pennsylvania Bar Association’s Wills for Heroes program, provides wills, living wills, health care and financial powers of attorney to military veterans and first responders and their spouses/partners.
The event will be held at the Newtown Township Administration Building, 100 Municipal Drive, Newtown, beginning at 11 a.m. Appointments will last about one-hour per person and must be scheduled online at pabar.org/wfh/. The password is Bucks.
The program is available for Pennsylvania residents and for estates under $750,000, due to the complexity of the estate-planning required. Proof of affiliation or DD214 will be requested at the event.
A subsequent Wills for Heroes event will be held in Bucks County in the fall.
For more information, email Bobrin at [email protected] or Rachel Landsberg at [email protected]. ••
Improving access to cancer screenings
Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, along with Rep. Joe Morelle, introduced legislation to improve access to screening services for breast cancer and cervical cancer.
The Screening for Communities to Receive Early and Equitable Needed Services for Cancer Act would reauthorize the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program through 2028, helping make screening services more accessible to more people. Sens. Tammy Baldwin and Susan Collins have introduced companion legislation in the Senate.
“Early testing is a proven method for saving lives and improving outcomes of breast cancer diagnoses,” said Fitzpatrick, co-chairman of the Bipartisan Congressional Cancer Caucus. “I’m proud to join a bipartisan, bicameral group of colleagues on the SCREENS Act to ensure that vulnerable and underserved communities have access to these lifesaving screening services.” ••
Farry office hours in Bensalem
State Sen. Frank Farry (R-6th dist.) is offering satellite office hours the first Wednesday of every month, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Bensalem Township Municipal Building, 2400 Byberry Road, Bensalem.
Farry’s staff will be on site to assist with state government services; Property Tax/Rent Rebate applications, birth and death certificate applications, SEPTA Senior Key card registrations and renewals; and unemployment issues. ••
Lower South supervisor meeting schedule
The Lower Southampton Township Board of Supervisors will meet on Wednesday, June 14, at 7:30 p.m., at the Township Building, 1500 Desire Ave., Feasterville.
Future meetings, all at the same times and location, are scheduled for June 28, July 12, Aug. 9, Sept. 13 and 27, Oct. 11 and 25, Nov. 8 and 20 and Dec. 13 and 20. ••
Bensalem Council meeting schedule
Bensalem Township Council meetings are generally held on the second and fourth Mondays of each month at 7 p.m. in the Municipal Building at 2400 Byberry Road, Bensalem.
Meetings can be viewed live on Comcast Xfinity Channel 22 in Bensalem and on Verizon Fios Channel 34 throughout Bucks County. They can also be streamed live on the Bensalem Township YouTube channel.
The schedule is June 26, July 10 and 24, Aug. 14 and 28, Sept. 11, Oct. 16, Nov. 13 and 27 and Dec. 4 (budget meeting) and 11. ••
Bensalem school board meeting schedule
The Bensalem Township Board of School Directors holds meetings on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. at the Dorothy D. Call Administrative Center, 3000 Donallen Drive, Bensalem.
Upcoming meetings will take place on June 27, Aug. 22, Sept. 26, Oct. 24, Nov. 28 and Dec. 19 (third Tuesday).
The public is invited to attend.
Due to summer vacation, the board will not meet during July.
The School Board annual reorganization meeting will be held on Monday, Dec. 4, at 7 p.m. ••
Commissioners meeting June 21
The Bucks County Commissioners will hold their next meeting on Wednesday, June 21, at 10:30 a.m. at the Bucks County Administration Building, 55 E. Court St., in Doylestown.
The meeting will be broadcast on the county’s YouTube channel.
Future meetings will be on July 5, July 19, Aug. 2, Aug. 16, Sept. 6, Sept. 20, Oct. 4, Oct. 18, Nov. 1, Nov. 15, Dec. 6 and Dec. 20. ••
