“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,” Pielli said. “This is an injustice that requires attention. For these reasons and more, I’ve reintroduced House Resolution 234 to urge Congress to support and pass the Major Richard Star Act, and am glad it was again reported out of the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee with unanimous support. The United States owes a debt to its former service members, one that should not be dismissed based on costs.” Read more
Below are multiple grant programs that are currently open for applications. NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Transportation: School Bus Safety Grant Program Who May Apply: Independent school bus contractors, school entities, and municipalities Use: To promote and increase school bus safety, education, and training, as well as pay for education, training, and other associated costs related to an individual earning their commercial learner's permit, commercial driver's license, or school bus endorsement for the purpose of driving a school bus in Pennsylvania. Funds: $1.2 million in funds are available through the School Bus Safety Grant Program. Grant awards will not exceed $100,000. Application Deadline: July 3, 2025 More information: PennDOT website Department of Environmental Protection: Pennsylvania Grid Resilience Grant Program Who May Apply: An electric grid operator, an electricity storage operator, an electricity generator, a transmission owner or operator, a distribution provider, a fuel supplier, and any other relevant entity, as determined by DEP in consultation with DOE. Use: To implement resilience measures throughout PA intended to mitigate the impact of electric grid disruptive events. Funds: $8 million in grant awards is available through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021. Application Deadline: Concept Paper submission availability will close at Read more
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. Read more
“Our Fire and EMS companies need modern equipment to save lives,” Pielli said. “They cannot afford to make do with aging equipment when the wellbeing of our neighbors is on the line. I want to thank the Office of the State Fire Commissioner for providing Good Fellowship Ambulance the necessary funds to acquire three new ambulances so they may continue their great work in keeping the people of Chester County safe.” Read more
NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Commission on Crime and Delinquency: PACTT (Pennsylvania Academic and Career/Technical Training) Grant Who May Apply: All residential facilities, community-based, and/or juvenile probation office providers that are not currently PACTT Affiliates and serve primarily adjudicated delinquent youth. Use: Applicants must ensure that the proposed program and associated expenses directly align with the PACTT affiliation areas (Academics, Job Skills Training, or Work-Related Services) the agency intends to pursue Funds: A total of $160,000 in state JRI funds is being announced to support this initiative among residential facilities, community-based providers, and juvenile probation departments. PCCD expects to fund eight grants with budgets not to exceed $20,000 over a 12-month project period. Application Deadline: July 7, 2025 More information: PCCD Website Department of Agriculture: Farm Vitality Planning Grant Program Who May Apply: Farmers, prospective farmers, and others Use: Create or obtain business plans, management strategies, transition plans, ownership plans, or plans to maintain the long-term economic viability of a farm. Funds: Up to $500,000 is available in grant funding. Individual grants shall not exceed $15,000. Application Deadline: Applications are accepted until funds are exhausted. More information: PDA Website PROGRAMS OPEN FOR Read more
“Our schools are great places to implement clean energy,” Pielli said. “They sit in open spaces and receive plenty of sunshine. By putting in solar panels at East Bradford Elementary, we harness energy from the sun to help that school become energy-independent, lower our carbon footprint, and save taxpayer dollars. It is a win-win scenario for everyone” Read more
“Funding struggles can result in staffing shortages and increased response times, which can make the difference between life and death. This legislation is a simple but important step in increasing funding opportunities for our first responders,” he said. “With this funding, our first responders can increase staffing and upgrade equipment. This option should also be extended to all townships of the second class.” Read more
“As a former court-appointed guardianship attorney, I saw clients who lost their homes as a result of unpaid property taxes,” Pielli said. “Too often, these were individuals with cognitive impairment or those who were otherwise incapacitated and could not pay tax bills without assistance. Read more
“We tell our children not to trust strangers. We tell our children what they should do when a stranger approaches them. But we also tell our children that you CAN trust your teacher. You CAN trust a police officer,” Pielli said. “How can we allow adults who break that sacred trust to then benefit from institutional leniencies they do not deserve? This legislation, as amended, allowing for sentencing enhancements for a perpetrator in a position of authority, is a step in the right direction.” Read more
“Over a decade ago, Pennsylvania launched the Medical Officer and Health Officer Incentive Program to provide additional financial incentives for skilled medical professionals to enlist in the Pennsylvania National Guard,” Pielli said. “In the time since Act 78 of 2014, this program has proven to be a meaningful tool, bringing highly qualified health professionals into our forces. Read more
Hi Folks,We hope this April edition of District Deliberations finds you all doing well. As April rolls in, bringing with it another season of growth and rebirth, we look ahead to sunny days and new possibilities. Yet, even with the advent of a milder season there are always “April Showers” to create some uncertainty. And so, it is in these uncertain times that one can look back on our own history for fresh beginnings and growth, not of a botanical or seasonal type, but of freedom and liberty. Read more
“William and Linda’s unwavering dedication to the democratic process reflects a deep trust in the electoral process and a steadfast belief in the power that every vote carries values that strengthen both our Commonwealth and our nation,” Pielli said. “Now more than ever, elections have real and lasting consequences. That’s why it is so important to follow the Scotts’ example—by showing up, speaking out, and participating in the democratic process. Their legacy reminds us that voting is not just a right, but a responsibility.” Read more
NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Environmental Protection: Watershed Planning and Restoration Grant Who May Apply: Incorporated watershed associations, counties or municipalities, county conservation districts, council of governments or other authorized organizations including nonprofit organizations, educational institutions and municipal authorities. Use: Examples of eligible projects include existing WIP revision or updates and design and construction of BMPs, including riparian forest buffers, streambank fencing, agricultural erosion and sediment control and nutrient and manure management practices; animal waste storage systems, animal concentration area/animal heavy use area protection and barnyard runoff controls; design and construction of stormwater control measures; AMD treatment systems and other projects that will reduce nonpoint source pollution in watersheds where streams are impaired. Funds: Funds are provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and authorized through Section 319(h) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Application Deadline: June 20, 2025 More information: DEP Website Department of Environmental Protection: Growing Greener Plus Grant Who May Apply: Counties Use: To update a county’s Act 167 plan. Funds: Funding was included in the Fiscal Year 2024-25 state budget and grants will range from $40,000 to $60,000 depending on the county’s Read more
“Fire companies and emergency services exist to serve and protect all Pennsylvania residents, and they need proper funding to carry out their responsibilities,” Pielli said. “Funding struggles can result in staffing shortages and increased response times. This legislation is a simple but important step in increasing funding opportunities for our first responders,” he said. “With this funding, our first responders can increase staffing and upgrade equipment. This option should also be extended to all townships of the second class.” Read more
“Over a decade ago, Pennsylvania launched the Medical Officer and Health Officer Incentive program to provide additional financial incentives for skilled medical professionals to enlist in the Pennsylvania National Guard,” Pielli said. “In the time since Act 78 of 2014, this program has proven to be a meaningful tool, bringing highly qualified health professionals into our forces. Read more
“When military installations are under exclusive federal jurisdiction, military children who find themselves in trouble are often forced through a federal justice system that does not offer as many rehabilitative options as does our Commonwealth,” Pielli said. “This system lacks appropriate juvenile-focused resources and may result in military-connected juveniles being tried more harshly while their peers off-base may be steered into more appropriate channels. Read more
“As a former court-appointed guardianship attorney, I saw clients who lost their homes as a result of unpaid property taxes,” Pielli said. “Too often, these were individuals with cognitive impairment or those who were otherwise incapacitated and could not pay tax bills without assistance. Tragically, these same individuals sometimes had the financial means but were so impaired that they were unable to keep up with payments. It is simply unfair to leave these people to try and pay these bills alone. My bill helps to prevent overdue tax payments for those who are aging and may be suffering from any number of conditions that hinders their ability to regularly pay bills.” Read more
“Pennsylvania thrives when we innovate,” Pielli said. “Average or below-average production of clean energy is unacceptable. We need to produce more energy using renewable sources. The folks here at West Chester University are doing just that by leading the way in geothermal production.” Read more
On March 28, the Chester County Food Bank informed our office that the USDA has canceled $250,000 of vital food orders for the quarter beginning April 1, 2025. These cancellations include essential items like proteins, eggs, and dairy products. If this trend continues, the Food Bank could face up to $1 million in canceled food orders over the next year, affecting their ability to meet the growing need for food assistance here in our county. Adding to the challenge, the USDA has also recently withdrawn $145,000 in LFPA funding previously allocated for purchasing products from local farmers. Despite these setbacks, the Food Bank remains steadfast in its commitment to serving our community. However, the impact of these changes is profound, and the food bank is calling on our community for support. Today, 10 state legislators representing Chester County signed on to a letter to our U.S. delegation – Senator Dave McCormick, Senator John Fetterman, and Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan – urging them to advocate for the reinstatement and protection of these critical food orders and funding. The response from the community has been overwhelming since our office and other state legislators’ offices first shared the news of these cuts on Friday. Please continue to make your voices heard by contacting our federal representatives and calling for the restoration of these essential programs. I am proud to stand with my House and Senate colleagues across Chester County Read more
We, the undersigned lawyer-legislators of the Pennsylvania state House of Representatives, are appalled though tragically not surprised by President Trump's latest attack on the rule of law. As outlined in the Presidential Memorandum of March 22, 2025, SUBJECT: Preventing Abuses of the Legal System and the Federal Court, the President instructed the Attorney General and Secretary of Homeland Security to weaponize the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, the Rules of Professional Conduct, and any other regulations governing attorney conduct and discipline to silence the zealous advocacy of lawyers and law firms across the nation. We will not allow the Trump Administration’s attempt with this memorandum to chill legal representation that inconveniences its efforts to undermine the Constitution, gut essential programs, attack vulnerable groups and individuals, and otherwise subvert the rule of law to go unchallenged. Read more
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