Big honor for deputy DA
Bucks County Deputy District Attorney Marc Furber has been honored with the Prosecutor of the Year Award by the Pennsylvania Insurance Fraud Prevention Authority and the Pennsylvania Chapters of the International Association of Special Investigation Units. The award recognizes Furber’s dedication to combating insurance fraud.
Furber, who has been with the Bucks County DA’s office since 2000 and has served as Chief of the Insurance Fraud Division since 2017, was commended for his work in investigating and prosecuting insurance fraud cases.
“Marc’s commitment to upholding the law and pursuing justice is unwavering,” said IFPA Executive Director Christopher Sloan.
In addition to his success in prosecuting insurance fraud cases, Furber has handled numerous high-profile cases involving crimes such as homicide, arson, robbery and financial abuse of the elderly. He is a sought-after speaker at insurance fraud industry events and is highly regarded within the legal community. In 2022, Furber and his colleagues from the Bucks County Insurance Fraud Division were honored with the Tony Kane Award from the Pennsylvania Auto Crime Investigators Association.
The Fraud Fighter Awards were presented by Sloan at the annual, statewide Pennsylvania Insurance Fraud Conference, hosted by the IFPA and IASIU in April at the Hershey Lodge & Convention Center. ••
A bill against illegal street racing
State Sens. Frank Farry and Jimmy Dillon announced passage of Senate Bill 998, aimed at enhancing public safety by modernizing Pennsylvania’s laws against illegal street racing. The bill, which passed 49-1, heads to the House of Representatives for consideration. Democratic Sen. Nikil Saval voted against the bill.
Provisions of Senate Bill 998 include:
• Increasing fines for those organizing and participating in street races, with first-time offenders facing a $500 penalty and repeat offenders a $2,000 fine.
• Defining and prohibiting “drifting” — the act of intentionally skidding a vehicle sideways, with violations incurring a $250 fine.
• Empowering law enforcement to impound vehicles involved in street racing for up to six months, with associated costs recoverable by prosecution.
• Establishing a $1,000 fine per vehicle for individuals organizing, promoting or financing illegal racing events.
• Escalating charges to a felony of the third degree if racing activities result in injury or death.
“Illegal street racing has become an incredibly dangerous issue and needs to stop before more people or law enforcement officers are hurt or killed at these events,” Farry said. “Our hope with this legislation is to reduce the number of these incidents and continue to keep our communities safe.”
The legislation has garnered endorsements from the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association, the Pennsylvania Council of Chief Juvenile Probation Officers and the Pennsylvania DUI Association. ••
Military aide in Fitzpatrick’s office
Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick announced the Committee on House Administration has selected him to participate in the Green & Gold Congressional Aide Program.
“It is a great honor to have an experienced member of the veteran community serve as a bridge between our local veterans and the federal government, ensuring we effectively advocate for our veterans’ needs while delivering the personalized care and results they deserve,” Fitzpatrick said. “As a longtime advocate for empowering our veterans, I thank Chairman Steil for affording us another opportunity to nurture the exceptional leadership skills of our military men and women and better serve our PA-1 veterans.
“Over the past two years, U.S. Army Capt. and Green & Gold Congressional Aide Macklin Wagner has been an invaluable asset to our office and our local military community. Capt. Wagner’s shared experiences with our veterans allowed him to forge meaningful relationships and offer unique perspectives, enhancing our ability to serve and support our PA-1 veterans and their families. I extend my sincere thanks to Capt. Wagner for his service and dedication to our community and look forward to continuing the success of this incredible initiative.” ••
House passes nursing home bill
State Reps. Kristin Marcell and Melissa Shusterman are celebrating passage of H.B. 1853 with a bipartisan vote of 125-76.
H.B. 1853 would require that the Department of Health’s nursing care field officers hold annual meetings with staff at the licensed nursing facilities under their jurisdiction. The goal of these meetings is to discuss and share information on survey results, patterns, trends and best practices to improve quality care across the state’s nursing care facilities.
“I am pleased to see the passage of House Bill 1853, because we are helping to foster collaboration between the Department of Health and our nursing homes,” Marcell said. “This collaboration is more than a bureaucratic formality; it is the cornerstone of the public health infrastructure we’ve put in place to protect the lives of our most vulnerable citizens. Through today’s action, we are helping to support a more transparent, effective relationship that puts the well-being of over 60,000 Pennsylvania residents first.”
The bill heads to the Senate for consideration. ••
Fitzpatrick talking taxes
U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-1st dist.) released the following statement on being chosen by the Ways and Means Committee to chair the American Working Families tax team:
“Our nation stands at a pivotal economic crossroads and is fighting for competitiveness in an ever-expanding 21st-century global landscape. With many provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 set to revert to their previous state at the end of 2025, as stated by the nonpartisan Tax Foundation, ‘most taxpayers will see a tax hike unless some or all provisions are extended.’
“Our hardworking American families are facing the most substantial tax hike in our nation’s history, and it is incumbent upon us to exhaust every avenue to shield them from bearing the brunt of this burden and not take more out of their pockets.
“Should the 2017 tax cuts expire, an average working family of four earning $75,000 would see a tax increase of $1,500 a year, on top of the current challenges of inflation and rising costs, which has already raised prices by 19 percent.
“I thank Chairman Smith for this opportunity to lead the Working Families Tax Team and look forward to working with my colleagues to develop legislative solutions that will protect and support our working families and ensure a strong American workforce with prosperous economic gains.”
Fitzpatrick will also serve as a member of the American Workforce Tax Team.
The Working Families Tax Team is one of 10 tax teams created by Ways and Means Committee Republicans to hold listening sessions with American families and job creators in an effort to develop legislative solutions. ••
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 meets at 7:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month at the Township Building, 1500 Desire Ave., Feasterville. The next meeting is May 22. ••
Commissioners meeting
The Bucks County Commissioners meet on the first and third Wednesdays of the month at 10:30 a.m. at the Bucks County Administration Building, 55 E. Court St., in Doylestown.
The meetings are broadcast on the county’s YouTube channel.
The next meeting will be May 15. ••
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 May 20, June 10, June 24, July 8, July 22, Aug. 12, Aug. 26, Sept. 9, Sept. 23, Oct. 15 (Tuesday), Oct. 28, Nov. 12 (Tuesday), Nov. 25, Dec. 4 (budget meeting) and Dec. 16. ••
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 May 28.
The public is invited to attend.
Future meetings are on June 25, Aug. 27, Sept. 24, Oct. 22, Nov. 26 and Dec. 17 (third Tuesday). ••
