PA FOP, state troopers endorse Republicans
The Fraternal Order of Police Pennsylvania State Lodge and the Pennsylvania State Troopers Association endorsed the Republican candidates running for statewide office.
Those endorsed are U.S. Senate candidate Dave McCormick, attorney general candidate Dave Sunday, Auditor General Tim DeFoor and Treasurer Stacy Garrity.
“These candidates have a deep understanding and respect for the rule of law,” said state FOP President Joe Regan. “We’re proud to endorse a slate with a track record of outstanding accomplishments as public servants and for their support of the law enforcement community.”
PTSA President Stephen Polishan said, “We’re endorsing true public servants who understand the mission of law enforcement and support providing local and state police with the resources they need to do their jobs and go home safely.” ••
Hospital pricing transparency
A bill to increase hospital pricing transparency passed the House. State Rep. K.C. Tomlinson was one of the sponsors.
House Bill 2339 would provide state-level oversight based on current federal requirements from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and require hospitals to maintain a publicly available list of all standard charges for hospital items and services. Under the bill, hospitals would be required to display their lists free of charge in a prominent location on the home page of their publicly accessible website.
Upon the bill’s 168-34 passage in the House, Tomlinson said, “I am thrilled to see House Bill 2339 pass. This will provide much-needed transparency to our health care system and make sure charges will be known and clear for our constituents across the state.”
House Bill 2339 would also prohibit action from debt collectors for non-compliant hospitals and from reporting the individual’s case to a consumer reporting agency. The representatives believe that Pennsylvania patients should not be subject to collection and reporting actions if a hospital fails to abide by transparency rules.
The legislation goes to the Senate for consideration. ••
End congressional stock trading
U.S. Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick and Jared Golden led a group of 20 lawmakers, pressing House leadership to bring forward a vote on legislation that would prohibit members of Congress from owning and trading individual stocks.
“Americans should rightfully expect members of Congress to work relentlessly on their behalf to tackle the challenges facing our communities and country, rather than exploit their public position for personal gain,” Fitzpatrick said. “We must bring this common-sense, bipartisan legislation to the House floor and, once and for all, prohibit members of Congress from trading stocks. Our constituents deserve better, and it is time to ensure we deliver results that benefit them and our communities across the country, not the pockets and unethical enrichment of elected officials.”
Fitzpatrick and Golden sent a letter, co-signed by 18 other members, calling for a vote on any of the several bills introduced this Congress that would end the practice of congressional stock trading.
“We believe that taking action on this common-sense, bipartisan legislation will ensure that members of Congress are serving the country and their constituents, not their bank accounts,” the lawmakers wrote in the letter. “Our constituents across the political spectrum support these efforts. According to recent polling, 86 percent of Americans – including 87 percent of Republicans, 88 percent of Democrats, and 81 percent of Independents – support prohibiting members of Congress and their families from trading stocks.”
They further wrote, “It’s been nearly two years since House leadership committed to holding a vote on a bill to reform stock trading practices for Members of Congress. In a hyper-partisan political environment where American approval ratings of Congress are at an all-time low, this is a common-sense and bipartisan change, making it crystal clear that we come to Washington to serve our constituents, not to serve our own financial interests.” ••
Allowing Intermediate Units to own facilities
Legislation (H.B. 1526) introduced by state Reps. Kristin Marcell and Joe Ciresi that would allow Intermediate Units to own facilities for instructional space passed the House.
IUs are regional educational service agencies created by the legislature in 1970. IUs provide programs to K-12 public school districts and non-public/private schools. Intermediate units also serve as liaisons between school districts and the state Department of Education. Pennsylvania’s 29 intermediate units provide special education, professional development and technical assistance services to school districts, charter schools and private schools. Every year, more than 175,000 students and 50,000 educators receive services and training from IUs, meeting a variety of needs for students and school districts.
IUs are permitted to own only office space and warehouse facilities, a limitation that prohibits them from owning facilities used for instructional space; a limitation that does not apply to school districts, area career and technical schools, or charter schools. Many IUs operate classrooms and other instructional spaces as providers of important special education, preschool programs and other educational services. All these instructional facilities must be leased, burdening IUs with rental costs that sometimes greatly exceed what it would cost the IU to purchase and own the facility themselves.
“I am pleased to see this bipartisan legislation that would allow IUs across the commonwealth to own instructional facilities — just as area career and technical schools and charter schools do — moving forward,” Marcell said. “It is a fiscally responsible step that will strengthen our educational infrastructure and support the dedicated professionals who work tirelessly to educate our children.”
Marcell was a member of the Council Rock School Board from 2018-23, which included one year as vice president.
The legislation is in the Senate for consideration. ••
Learn about wills and estates
Bucks County Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans’ Court Linda Bobrin is embarking on her 2024 Senior Center Tour. Bobrin and members of her staff will be giving presentations about wills, estate planning and inheritance tax at senior centers across Bucks County.
Hour-long presentations will be held on the following dates:
• July 25: Central Bucks Senior Center, 12:30 p.m.
• July 26: Middletown Senior Center, 10:15 a.m.
• July 30: Morrisville Senior Center, 10 a.m.
• Aug. 20: Upper Bucks Senior Center, 11 a.m.
• Aug. 27: Pennridge Senior Center, 11 a.m.
• Sept. 10: Lower Makefield Senior Center, 10:30 a.m.
Attendees can expect to learn the basics of what makes a will valid, along with an overview of probate and inheritance tax. They will also be sharing interesting anecdotes, including unusual wills received in the office.
The Bucks County Register of Wills is responsible for appointing the personal representative of a decedent’s estate and is the agent for the state to collect inheritance tax. The office’s primary goal is to serve the public, especially when they may be grieving the loss of a loved one.
For more information, email Rachel Landsberg at ralandsberg@buckscounty.org. ••
Water main replacement in Bensalem
Rep. K.C. Tomlinson announced Bensalem Township will be allotted funding from a $77.5 million loan through the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority for a water main replacement project.
PENNVEST funding specifically serves projects in Pennsylvania that focus on sewer, storm water and drinking water projects.
The loan will be distributed to 16 municipalities across southeastern Pennsylvania for water main replacement projects.
“I am happy to say Bensalem is included in this vital project in the southeast,” Tomlinson said. “Making sure our water mains are updated means our drinking water is safe and quality service is provided to the consumers.” ••
Addressing a growing teacher shortage
Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick, Jason Crow, Lori Chavez-DeRemer and Jahana Hayes introduced a bill to allow Federal Work-Study funds to pay for costs associated with participating in teacher and principal residency programs, which they say have proven effective to improve teacher demand, quality and retention. The Teacher, Principal and Leader Residency Access Act would add teacher and principal residencies to the Federal Work-Study program ensuring no added cost to the taxpayer.
Across the country, there were more than 310,000 teacher positions underfilled or vacant in 2023.
“The success of our next generation hinges upon the guidance and knowledge imparted by our teachers and educational leaders. As we confront a growing teacher shortage, the need for high-quality, skilled and experienced educators has never been more critical,” Fitzpatrick said. “This bipartisan legislation will invest in our education system, provide aspiring educators enriching opportunities for crucial hands-on experience and build a pipeline of skilled professionals ready to guide our next generation of leaders here in PA-1 and nationwide.” ••
A boost for college savings accounts
The 529 tax credit, originally House Bill 1745 and co-prime sponsored by state Reps. Kristin Marcell and Paul Friel, has been successfully incorporated into the recently signed Tax Code by Gov. Josh Shapiro. The new tax credit incentivizes employers to contribute to their employees’ PA 529 College and Career Savings Program accounts.
House Bill 1745 expands the tax credit to encourage workforce development and ease the financial burden of higher education for Pennsylvania families. The PA 529 tax credit allows for a 25% tax credit on employer contributions of up to $500 per participating employee per year. The initiative encourages employers to support their employees’ educational savings, facilitating financial planning for future educational expenses.
“Addressing the skills gap and strengthening our workforce starts with access to education,” Marcell said. “By encouraging employers to invest in their employees’ futures, this tax credit supports Pennsylvania families and builds a more skilled and educated workforce. We are making it easier for families to save for higher education, ensuring that our students have the opportunities they need to succeed.”
“This tax credit is outstanding news. It will encourage employers to help employees save with our tremendous PA 529 College and Career Savings Program and PA ABLE Savings Program for people with disabilities,” said Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity. “That will be a huge help to families across Pennsylvania, and by offering this new benefit, employers will become even more attractive places to work. I thank Rep. Friel and Rep. Marcell for their great work getting this tax credit enacted.” ••
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 July 24. ••
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 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 Aug. 27.
The public is invited to attend.
Future meetings are on Sept. 24, Oct. 22, Nov. 26 and Dec. 17 (third Tuesday). ••
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 Aug. 7. ••
