District Deliberations: May Edition

Rep. Chris Pielli May 31, 2025

PA Representative Christopher Pielli banner image

Hi Folks,

We hope this May edition of District Deliberations finds you all doing well. It was an unknown author who once wrote, “May is the month of expectation, the month of wishes, the month of hope.” As we prepare ourselves for another round of June budget negotiations, these words seem more than appropriate. Budget season is always an uncertain time in Harrisburg. And now, with severe DOGE cuts and the proposed federal budget, the uncertainty is unprecedented. In truth, we will come upon a hard-fought compromise for our State budget. We always do. Yet, it may all be for naught if some of our pre-approved Congressional funding remains in the president’s grasp and if the proposed federal cuts in the “Big, Beautiful Bill” become a reality. The truth is, we can’t make up the difference in Medicaid and SNAP spending if the proposed “Big Beautiful Bill” passes. These and other cuts will adversely affect millions of our fellow Pennsylvanians and the impact will be felt for years to come.

We in the PA House have tried continually to find new sources of revenue – to include HB1200 – Legalizing Cannabis, like all our neighboring states. However, the State Senate leadership continues to deny this and other initiatives to help bring much needed revenue to our citizens. Worse yet, they offer no solutions of their own. And so, we end this month of expectation, wishes, and hope, and look toward a gathering storm that we must all weather. As a past soldier and as your State Representative, I took an oath to serve our Constitution, our Commonwealth, and the Republic for which it stands. In times like these, I am compelled to renew this pledge to you and promise that I will do all that I possibly can to protect the level of care, services, and freedoms we Pennsylvanians proudly fought for in the past and deserve for future generations to come.

The month of May includes many noteworthy days like May Day, Mother’s Day, even Cinco De Mayo, but the one of the most profound is Memorial Day. Many see this only as a time of picnics, barbecues, and beaches but, of course, it is much more than that. It is a time to honor the over 1,000,000 service men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our Nation, giving up all their tomorrows for our today. As such, it is with great reverence that we present to you this month’s and every month’s hometown heroes, a recognition of our sacred dead who died defending the free and unconquerable United States of America and those Veterans, like Major Richard Star, who suffer long after serving in combat and deserve our utmost support.

As such, this issue of District Deliberations also features my latest legislative highlights to include HR234 – Urging Congress to Support the Major Richard Star Act enabling all service members who are medically retired to have full access to both military retirement pay and Veterans Affairs disability benefits (see more below); HB96 - Protecting Vulnerable Individuals at Risk of Losing Their Homes; HB95- Disclosure of AI Content; and more. We also feature great bills passed in the House, like HB820 – Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit and HB1200 - Legalizing and Regulating Adult-Use Cannabis. Also listed in this issue is an update on over $24 million in grant money to our District ranging from road repair, stormwater, solar, and other infrastructure improvements; new Veteran financial aid opportunities, information on planning for our Nation’s 250th Birthday, and of course the wise whelps of wisdom from Penny the Pup featuring news that the application deadline for the 2024 Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program has been extended to December 31, 2025.

Folks, as always, we thank you for the opportunity to serve you and look forward to any questions or concerns you may have. Until our next issue, Stay Well, Stay Safe, and Stay Strong.

PA Representative Christopher Pielli's signature image

Chris Pielli
Pennsylvania State Representative House District 156

Hometown Heroes - Lest We Forget

This month’s Hometown Heroes are the over 1,000,000 million service members who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of this great Nation. Freedom isn’t free and lest we forget that these brave men and women gave up all their tomorrows for our today. To best honor these heroes we can support those Veterans who survived but still suffer from wounds both physical and mental. It is a sad fact that on average we lose 17 Veterans a day, totaling over 120,000 veterans who have died by suicide since 2001, equating to a suicide rate 57% higher than the national average. We must do a better job of breaking down the stigma surrounding suicide and increase the resources and support that our Veterans need. In addition to the mental wounds we have numerous Veterans who suffer to this day the effects of Agent Orange and Burn Pit exposure. The story of Major Richard Star offers us a poignant reminder and an opportunity to help.

Retired Army Major Richard Star passed away following a fight with Stage 4 lung cancer in 2021. Major Star was a combat veteran with multiple overseas tours, including tours in both Iraq and Afghanistan, and is remembered for saving countless lives whilst clearing roads in Afghanistan of improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Major Star will also be remembered for spending the final months of his life advocating for veterans who are medically retired and have a disability. According to his wife, Tonya Star, Richard’s greatest goal was to pass what would ultimately become the Major Richard Star Act, named in honor of his memory.

Under this Congressional legislation, all service members who are medically retired would have full access to both military retirement pay and Department of Veterans Affairs disability benefits. Today, for every dollar of disability pay that they receive, veterans with less than 20 years of service and a disability rating of less than 50% have their retirement payments reduced by a dollar. Under these rules, an estimated 50,000 retired service members are ineligible for concurrent benefits. Further, the average offset from this results in about $1,900 a month.

While going through countless surgeries and chemotherapy due to his lung cancer, Major Star learned that he would not concurrently receive his retirement and disability pay through the Department of Defense. This is an injustice that requires attention. For these reasons and more, I re-introduced a resolution (HR 234) urging Congress to support and pass the Major Richard Star Act (S.1032), which passed out of the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee last session with unanimous support and will be up for another vote this session. The United States owes a debt to its former service members, one that should not be dismissed based on costs.

Rep. Pielli's Legislative Highlights

I came to Harrisburg seeking to legislate to protect our working families, seniors, children, veterans, and environment, while also supporting our law enforcement and business communities. I am proud to report that during my second term I have had several bills pass the House awaiting Senate Approval. It is a privilege and honor to continue working hard for you and your families.

HB 96 – Helps vulnerable older adults and incapacitated individuals remain in their homes by permitting them to designate a person to receive notice should their property taxes fall into arrears. Passed the House with bipartisan support.

HB 355 – Provides a sentencing enhancement for courts to consider in sexual assault cases where the defendant is a mandated reporter. Passed the House UNANIMOUSLY.

HB 393 – Allows all Second-Class Townships to Increase Funding for Fire and Emergency Services. Passed the House with bipartisan support.

HB 441 – Amends the Wild Resource Conservation Act of 1982 to give Pennsylvania’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources authority over terrestrial insects. Passed out of Environmental and Natural Resources Committee.

HB 491 – Protects military children and their families through concurrent jurisdiction. Passed by the House UNANIMOUSLY.

HB 968 – Allows the Attorney General to enter into reciprocal agreements with other states to recognize lawfully issued military and disabled veteran hunting and fishing licenses in each state. Passed unanimously out of Game and Fisheries Committee.

HB 1102 – Expands recruitment efforts for the PA National Guard by expanding the partial tuition reimbursement program. Passed the House UNANIMOUSLY.

HR 234 - Urges Congress to pass the Major Richard Star Act

Great Bills Passed in the House

HB 820 - My colleagues and I in the PA House all voted YES to pass House Bill 820, which would establish a Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit. This tax credit would put money back in the taxpayer's pocket -- to invest in families and everyday workers, rather than billionaires.

Please call the PA House Senate Leadership to support this bill. It is time that Pennsylvania join the other 31 states, D.C. and Puerto Rico and give this State EITC tax credit to our Citizens.

HB 1200 – Virtually every state around us allows legal cannabis sales. People across the Commonwealth are travelling across the border, buying legally, and bringing it home. It’s time we treated adults like adults and get the billions of dollars of revenue we have been losing to our neighboring states. Our plan gets it done while also ensuring that the cannabis consumed is not laced with other dangerous drugs and chemicals that our citizens may be unknowingly consuming. An overwhelming amount of PA voters support legal cannabis, and it is estimated that this bill would generate more than half a billion dollars in revenue every year. Sadly, the state Senate has recently blocked this bill from receiving any further action, yet they continually cry that we have to find a way to raise revenue. Please urge the state Senate leadership to reconsider this important bill.

Rep. Pielli Brings in More Than $24M from 2023 through May 2025

$6,000,000 – PENNVEST (Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority)

Recipients: Multiple Municipalities

Purpose: Water Infrastructure Projects

$6,745,736 – PA Department of Community and Economic Development

Recipients: Multiple Municipalities: East Bradford Township, East Goshen Township, West Goshen Township, West Goshen Sewer Authority, and West Chester Borough; Multiple Non-Profits: Chester County Art Association, Chester County Historical Society, and Uptown Knauer Performing Arts Center.

Purpose: Sewer / Wastewater System Upgrades; Infrastructure; Fire Truck Equipment

$3,006,686 – PA Small Water and Sewer Program

Recipients: West Chester Borough; East Bradford Township; West Goshen Township; West Goshen Sewer Authority

Purpose: Stormwater / Wastewater Infrastructure Improvements

$2,197,653 – PENNDOT

Recipients: West Goshen Township

Purpose: U.S. 322 West Chester Bypass Improvements

$2,023,650 – PA Commission on Crime and Delinquency

Recipients: West Chester Borough; Chester County Department of Workforce Development; and Multiple Non-Profits: Cornerstone Christian Fellowship, Domestic Violence Center of Chester County, Islamic Society of Chester County, Mount Carmel Church of God in Christ, Kesher Israel Congregation

Purpose: Police Body Cameras; Salaries and Benefits for Facilitators; Combatting Hate Crimes by Non-Profit Security Enhancement

$1,792,115 – PA Department of Education

Recipients: West Chester Area School District and West Chester University of Pennsylvania

Purpose: School Safety and Security; Parent Programming Expansion; Hunger-Free Campus; Special Education Teaching Training

$917,514 – Commonwealth Financing Agency

Recipients: West Chester Borough

Purpose: South High Street Sidewalk Rehabilitation

$750,000 – PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

Recipients: Multiple Municipalities

Purpose: Parks and Nature Trails Enhancement

$570,000 – Greenways, Trails, and Recreation Program / Watershed Restoration Protection

Program

Recipients: West Chester Borough; East Bradford Township; West Goshen Township

Purpose: Parks and Nature Trails Enhancement

$530,000 – PA Department of Environmental Protection

Recipients: Natural Lands / Stroud Preserve

Purpose: Construction Enhancements to Stroud Preserve Infrastructure

$158,665 – Office of State Fire Commissioner

Recipients: Goshen Fire Co., Good Fellowship Club of Chester County Inc., Fame Fire Company of West Chester

Purpose: EMS and Fire Department Operational Support

$50,000 – ARPA / PA State Appropriations

Recipients: West Chester Fire Department

Purpose: Equipment Upgrades

$40,000 – PA Fish and Boat Commission

Recipients: East Bradford Township

Purpose: Shaw’s Bridge Park Boat Launch

$25,000 – ARPA / PA Department of Human Services

Recipient: Justice Rains

Purpose: Havilah House Program Support

$25,000 – ARPA / PA Department of Health

Recipient: West Chester Area Senior Center

Purpose: Kitchen Equipment Upgrades / Computer Lab

--------------------------

$24,832,019 TOTAL

Military Appreciation Month

In honor and recognition of Military Appreciation Month, the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency is encouraging veterans, service members, and their families to take advantage of the financial aid opportunities available to them, especially through the PA Military State Aid Programs.

In partnership with the PA Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, PHEAA administers the PA National Guard Military Family Education Program, which is a tuition assistance program for dependents (spouses and children) of PA Guard Members who commit to an additional 6-years of service with the PA National Guard. The MFEP grant can be used for a degree-granting curriculum, a certificate-granting course of study, or training programs required for entrance into a specific career, for up to 5 academic years.

PA Guard Members can assign the entire benefit to one dependent or a portion of the benefit to more than one dependent. In addition, a spouse can use the assigned MFEP benefit up to six years after the member’s separation from the PA National Guard, and children can use the assigned MFEP benefit before reaching 26 years of age.

Applications may be submitted through Account Access on pheaa.org. For more information, visit pheaa.org/MFEP or contact the PA National Guard at 800-GO-GUARD.

PHEAA also administers PA National Guard Educational Assistance Program (EAP) in collaboration with the PA DMVA, for members of the PA National Guard. This program provides financial assistance for students who enter into a six-year service commitment with the PA National Guard.

Recipients must attend a Pennsylvania school, enroll in an approved program of study, and maintain at least part-time enrollment. Students with a bachelor’s degree can still be eligible for a part-time award toward another credential.

The maximum EAP benefit is determined annually based on the in-state tuition rate plus a technology fee charged at a Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) school. Applications may be submitted through Account Access on PHEAA.org.

For more information, visit pheaa.org/EAP or contact the PA National Guard at 800-GO-GUARD.

America’s 250th Birthday – Here We the People Come!

?? Calling all West Chester history enthusiasts & community leaders! Join the America250 Greater West Chester Planning Group as we prepare for the nation’s 250th anniversary!

?? ?? Monthly Zoom Meetings – Every 4th Monday at 2 PM. ?? Drop in as your schedule allows—share, get inspired, and learn what others are doing!

?? RSVP: cc250@chescocf.org -OR- Register Here

Q: When are 2024 Property Tax/Rent Rebate Applications due?

A: Applications for the 2024 Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program are due by December 31, 2025. The deadline was recently extended from June 30 to December 31.

I want to ensure everyone who qualifies gets the money they deserve!

You might qualify IF:

- You’re a renter or homeowner.

- Your income meets the requirements.

- AND -

- You’re aged 65+; a widow/er aged 50-64; or permanently disabled / aged 18-64.

Please note: Any Social Security Income (SSI, SSDI, etc.) is counted at 50% toward the income total (i.e., divided in half). All other income sources are counted at 100%.

Feel free to reach out to my district office staff for assistance at (610) 696-4990; or RepPielli@pahouse.net; or stop by 121 West Miner Street, Suite 1E, West Chester Borough.