Legislative Update, Tax credit for working families; Bristol Township gets $2 million grant

Rep. Tina Davis May 7, 2025 | 10:10 AM

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Legislation to help working families passes PA House

There’s promising news out of Harrisburg: the Pennsylvania House has passed the Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit, a new initiative that creates the state version of the federal Earned Income Tax Credit — reducing taxes and cutting costs for working families across the Commonwealth.

This legislation builds on the success of the federal EITC — one of the most effective anti-poverty programs in the country. Anyone who qualifies for and claims the federal EITC will automatically receive a state tax credit worth 30% of their federal credit.

That could mean:

Almost $200 for individuals with no children.
About $1,300 for families with one child.
Up to $2,300 for families with three or more children.

The credit is refundable, meaning if the credit is larger than the amount owed in state taxes, the remaining amount is paid as a refund — putting more money directly into the hands of working people to spend how they choose.

The Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit is projected to provide $600 million in direct financial support to working families across the state, helping them better manage everyday expenses while also boosting local economies.

Now that the bill has passed the House, it’s up to the Senate to take action.

I’ll keep you informed as this important legislation moves forward.

Bristol Township redevelopment gets $2 million in state funding

I'm excited to announce that Crownwood Condo 4 LLC has received a $2 million grant to prepare a key site in Bristol Township for industrial development. The funding will help prepare the last 6.9 acres of the Crownwood Industrial Park for a 100,000-square-foot facility. This is a major win for our community, bringing more businesses, jobs, and opportunities to the area. I'm proud to have supported this project and grateful for the Commonwealth's continued investment in our region's future.

This grant is part of the Pennsylvania Strategic Investments to Enhance Sites Program (PA SITES), which Gov. Josh Shapiro and the Department of Community and Economic Development launched to make more sites across Pennsylvania ready for business development. By funding site prep, PA SITES helps the state stay competitive and attract companies. I’ve seen how important these investments are for our local economy, and I'm thrilled our community will benefit.

With this funding, the Crownwood Industrial Park will be better positioned to support our economy and create new job opportunities. I'm excited to see how this project will help our community thrive.

BCCC earns state grant

In more great news for our community, Bucks County Community College has been awarded $1 million through Pennsylvania’s new Dual Credit Innovation Grant Program. This funding will help expand dual enrollment opportunities for local high school students, giving them a valuable head start on college by allowing them to earn college credits while still completing their high school education.

Speaking of dual enrollment, Bucks County Community College is hosting a virtual Dual Enrollment Information Session at 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 15. During this session, participants will learn about the benefits of dual enrollment, including how students can take college-level courses during the school day and earn credit for both high school and college. The college also offers a High School Enrichment program for students looking for additional academic opportunities.

With this new state investment and strong local programs in place, students in Bucks County are gaining greater access to the tools they need to succeed in college and beyond. To register for the information session and receive the Zoom link, please visit: https://events.bucks.edu/event/bucks.events.663776.

Keeping track of SEPTA funding

You may remember from a previous update that I raised serious concerns about SEPTA’s proposed service cuts — here’s the latest.

SEPTA’s plan to eliminate the Trenton Regional Rail Line and key bus routes in Lower Bucks County remains deeply troubling. These aren’t just service lines — they’re essential connections for people getting to work, school, doctor’s appointments, and more. That’s why I joined state Sen. Steve Santarsiero and several colleagues at the Levittown station last week to speak out. Communities like ours rely on public transit every single day, and it’s time for the state to step up and provide stable, long-term funding.

The Trenton Line — which serves Levittown, Bristol, and Croydon — is one of the most well-used and financially sound lines in SEPTA’s system. Cutting it, along with Routes 127 and 128, would isolate thousands of residents and drive even more traffic onto roads like I-95. A recent study found that delays could increase by 30% across our region. Meanwhile, SEPTA has invested millions into upgrading our local stations — it makes no sense to walk away from that progress now. The PA House has passed funding legislation, and I support Gov. Shapiro’s plan. Now the Senate must act.

Raising fares while slashing service is not a solution — it’s a setback. Public transit should be reliable and affordable, especially for those who depend on it most. I’ll continue pushing for a sustainable fix, and I urge residents to make their voices heard during the public comment period before May 28. Let’s keep Bucks County connected.

New consumer protection hotline

Important news for consumers in Pennsylvania: Gov. Josh Shapiro has launched a new hotline and online tools to make it easier to report scams and resolve financial or insurance issues. This initiative is part of his continued effort to ensure that Pennsylvanians are protected, especially as federal consumer protections have been weakened.

If you’re facing a financial or insurance issue, help is just a call or click away. You can call the new hotline at 1-866-PACOMPLAINT (1-866-722-6675), visit pa.gov/consumer, or email consumer@pa.gov for assistance. Whether it’s a denied insurance claim, a financial transaction concern, or an issue with a student loan, the new system connects you to the right state agency to help resolve the problem.

This new system provides a clear and simple way for consumers to get the help they need, with state agencies ready to step in for issues ranging from fraud to disputes. If you need assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out.

Poll position

Please be advised that several polling locations have changed for the upcoming 2025 Primary Election. If you live in one of the following districts, please take note of your new voting location:

Bristol Township 1-2: Voting has moved from Vita Education Services to Keystone Elementary School.
Bristol Township 1-3: Voting has moved from the Croydon Fire Co. to Keystone Elementary School.
Bristol Township 4-3: Voting has moved from the Croydon Fire Co. to Bucks County Community College - Lower Bucks Campus.

Important Election Dates:

Primary Election Day: Tuesday, May 20 | Polls open from 7 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Deadline to request a mail-in or absentee ballot: May 13 Apply here.
Mail-in and absentee ballots must be received by 8 p.m. on May 20.

For additional details, please visit the Bucks County Board of Elections website.

My Office Can Help You

SEPTA Key Senior ID Card photos and applications.
Car registrations, special tags, disability placards, titles, and driver’s license applications.
Information on financial assistance for higher education.
Obtaining and completing state forms.
Unemployment compensation.
Troubleshooting issues or delays with Department of Human Services (food, medical and income assistance).
PA state income tax questions or problems.
Complaints or issues with insurance companies.
Renewal of state-issued licenses or certifications.
Property Tax/Rent Rebate forms for qualifying seniors, widows and widowers, and people with disabilities.
PACE prescription cards for seniors.
Liquor Control Board concerns and questions.
Citations honoring local people for outstanding accomplishments or family milestones.
Information about any state or local government agency.
Answers to questions about the Veterans Property Tax Exemption.
Information about our local communities.