State Rep. Craig Williams, a former federal prosecutor and United States Marine Corps combat veteran, announced his candidacy for attorney general.
“Pennsylvania needs an attorney general who focuses on prosecution not political posturing,” Williams said. “Our seniors, children and hardworking citizens deserve a better quality of life. Prosecuting violent criminals, drug dealers, crooked politicians and crimes against the vulnerable are my goals. I am a lifelong Republican who can win next November.
“Furthermore, our attorney general should have allegiance to the United States and Pennsylvania Constitutions, never to special interests. I will campaign with grassroots volunteers while others rely on political insiders in Harrisburg and Washington, D.C. Their strategy loses elections time after time, and this next election is crucial for Republicans. We must win. And I win.”
Williams will face York County District Attorney Dave Sunday and former Delaware County District Attorney Kat Copeland in the Republican primary.
Democratic candidates are former Bucks County Solicitor Joe Khan, state Rep. Jared Solomon, Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer, former Auditor General Eugene DePasquale and former Defender Association of Philadelphia chief Keir Bradford-Grey.
Williams retired as a Marine colonel after 28 years of service, including flying combat missions in the Gulf War.
He is an avid Boy Scout leader and track coach. He lives in Concord Township (Delaware County) with his wife, Jennifer, and their four children. ••
Republican attorneys generals back Sunday for AG
The Republican Attorney Generals Association has endorsed York County District Attorney Dave Sunday for state attorney general.
“Service is in Dave Sunday’s blood,” said RAGA Chairman and Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes. “From his previous service in the United States Navy to his time now as an elected prosecutor, Dave has put in the tough work to protect the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the freedoms we all love as Americans. Dave also understands that he cannot do this alone. I commend his numerous collaborations with local, state and federal law enforcement officials to reduce crime and recidivism in his county.”
“Pennsylvania provides Republicans with an excellent opportunity to flip the Office of the Attorney General from Democrat control in 2024,” said RAGA Executive Director Peter Bisbee. “I would like to thank the RAGA board and chairman, Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes, for their support here in Pennsylvania. We share the common goal of protecting the Constitution, freedom and ensuring opportunity for future generations,” Sunday said.
State Rep. Craig Williams and former Delaware County District Attorney Kat Copeland are also running in the Republican primary.
Democratic candidates are former Bucks County Solicitor Joe Khan, state Rep. Jared Solomon, Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer, former Auditor General Eugene DePasquale and former Defender Association of Philadelphia chief Keir Bradford-Grey. ••
Classifying 911 dispatchers as first responders
Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick and Norma Torres introduced the Supporting Accurate Views of Emergency Services Act.
9-1-1 dispatchers are currently not classified as first responders. At zero cost to American taxpayers, the 9-1-1 SAVES Act reclassifies 9-1-1 dispatchers as first responders and recognizes America’s more than 100,000 9-1-1 professionals for their work to save lives.
The bill has the support of fire, police, 9-1-1 and public safety organizations across the United States.
“Public safety telecommunicators play a critical role in emergency response as the initial first responder in any crisis situation,” Fitzpatrick said. “The thousands of operators and dispatchers work tirelessly every day to coordinate public safety, police, fire and ambulance units and to keep our communities safe. I am grateful to join Congresswoman Torres on this bipartisan bill to ensure that they are properly classified as responding officers.” ••
Hamas must surrender
Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick led the introduction of a resolution calling for the immediate and unconditional surrender of Hamas and condemning Hamas’ use of human shields in its brutal attacks on innocent Israelis.
Fitzpatrick was joined by Reps. Jared Moskowitz, Mike Gallagher, Brad Sherman, Don Bacon and Josh Gottheimer. The resolution is supported by the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies Action.
“I am proud to lead, alongside my colleagues Reps. Moskowitz, Gallagher and Sherman this bipartisan condemnation of Hamas’ use of human shields. It is crucial that Congress denounces and demands an end to these horrific acts,” Fitzpatrick said. “Our resolution demonstrates an unequivocal opposition to Hamas’ blatant contravention of humanitarian law and complete disregard for the rights and dignity of civilian non-combatants.” ••
Modernizing business laws
A bill that would strengthen and modernize Pennsylvania’s business laws passed the House of Representatives by a unanimous vote.
House Bill 1716, sponsored by Rep. Perry Warren, would make various technical changes to the state statute that governs and regulates Pennsylvania’s businesses to better align Pennsylvania corporate laws with those of other states, supporting interstate commerce.
The measure also would allow lawsuits filed by shareholder plaintiffs against a company to proceed if a special litigation committee isn’t formed within 60 days to address the alleged wrongful activity.
“As a former small business owner, I understand the need to modernize Pennsylvania’s business laws to allow Pennsylvania’s businesses to be competitive throughout the country and the rest of the world,” Warren said. “This bill helps make us a better state to do business.”
Warren is a former owner of an ice cream truck business as well as a former law firm partner.
The bill heads to the Senate for consideration.
Warren represents the 31st Legislative District, which is comprised of Lower Makefield Township, Newtown, Newtown Township, Upper Makefield Township and Yardley. ••
Money for farm food program at local schools
Bristol Township School District is receiving a $15,000 grant to purchase locally produced fresh fruit and vegetables, state Rep. Tina Davis announced.
PA Farm Bill Farm-to-School Grant is funding the award. Funded projects connect local farmers to schools to supply fresh, in-season products to be served in cafeterias, expanding market opportunities for farmers. Other projects support school gardens, field trips and other hands-on agriculture education, enriching early awareness of career opportunities.
The grant is going to fund the planned “Farm Fresh Spotlight” program at Armstrong and Franklin middle schools, according to the Bristol Township School District.
The district’s plan is to partner with local vendors, farms and farmers to supply the schools with Pennsylvania-grown fruits, vegetables and possibly some dairy products to be placed on the school menu.
BTSD plans to complement the initiative by offering educational materials to students that teach them about the food’s origins. The overall intention of the program is to bring students closer to their local food system and focus on healthy eating habits.
“The grant is a win-win for the local community,” Davis said. “Our school children learn healthy eating habits at an early age while supporting our local farms.”
Davis represents the 141st Legislative District, comprised of Bristol Borough and Bristol Township. ••
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, Dec. 13, at 7:30 p.m., at the Township Building, 1500 Desire Ave., Feasterville.
The final meeting of the year will be Wednesday, Dec. 20, at 7:30 p.m. at the Township Building. ••
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 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.
The next meeting will take place on Dec. 19 (third Tuesday).
The public is invited to attend. ••
Commissioners meeting Dec. 6
The Bucks County Commissioners will hold their next meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 6, 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.
The final meeting of the year will be on Dec. 20. ••
