Dear Neighbor,

Unfortunately, the budget impasse in Pennsylvania has now reached 80 days—eighty days without funding for our schools, hospitals, mental health facilities, and other essential state services.

As you may know, we have a divided government in Pennsylvania, and the state Senate has been unwilling to vote on any budget that increases funding for our schools, hospitals, or roads and bridges—despite having $11 billion in the bank. The only budget vote the Senate has taken would keep spending at last year’s levels. As you know, the cost of everything has risen substantially over the past year. If the state does not increase funding, those costs will be passed on to local taxpayers.

Our local school districts already passed budgets in June that included necessary increases in state funding to cover higher costs due to inflation. For example, without increased state funding for education, Neshaminy taxpayers will face an almost $2.3 million budget gap, and Pennsbury taxpayers will face a more than $2 million deficit, based on their published final budgets.

We need a budget in Pennsylvania now—one that funds our schools, supports our hospitals, provides for our roads and bridges, and addresses other state priorities. Contact your state Senator, as well as Majority Leader Pittman and Appropriations Chair Martin, to voice your concerns. Their contact information can be found here.

Pennie, the Pennsylvania Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) marketplace is warning that premiums purchased through the exchange will rise significantly due to the expected expiration of enhanced federal tax credits passed by Congress in 2021.

With the scheduled removal of these funds, insurance premiums may increase by 19% for individuals and 13% for small businesses. This is not limited to Pennsylvania—because of congressional inaction, states nationwide are projected to see an average increase of 18% in 2026.

Nearly 500,000 Pennsylvanians are enrolled in plans through Pennie, with 90% currently benefiting from the enhanced tax credits.

Contact Congressman Fitzpatrick, along with Senators McCormick and Fetterman, to urge them to extend the enhanced tax credits and prevent these premium increases.

Last week, the Policy Committee of the House Democratic Caucus visited Bucks County, and I was honored to host them in Morrisville on Tuesday to discuss the need for affordable housing for the middle class. Every teacher, electrician, carpenter, firefighter, or other hardworking Bucks Countian should be able to put a roof over their family’s head. Since 2017, rents have increased by nearly 50% in Bucks County, and the cost of a home in Levittown has doubled. The panel included representatives from builders, realtors, and architects, as well as other experts and stakeholders. I currently have four bills introduced in the House aimed at ensuring that all residents of Lower Bucks County have the opportunity to achieve their slice of the American Dream.

On Wednesday, I participated in a hearing with representatives of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, PECO, and other stakeholders to discuss potential legislation to ensure that our residents have access to affordable energy. We also discussed ways to address the power outages that have affected Lower Bucks County, as well as methods to ensure that energy infrastructure costs associated with data centers are not placed on the shoulders of residential ratepayers.

Several important PennDOT resurfacing projects are already underway across our community as part of a larger effort to repair more than 200 miles of state highways in the region.

Detours and lane closures are currently in place, and work will resume the week of September 22 in the following areas of Bucks County:

• Fallsington Tullytown Road (Falls Township & Tullytown Borough): Milling, paving, and utility construction between Low Lane and New Falls Road will continue, with lane closures and flagging from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, and overnight from 7:00 PM to 5:00 AM.
• Penn Valley Road/Hood Boulevard (Bristol & Falls Townships): Crews will resume work between Old Bristol Pike and Oxford Valley Road during the same daytime and overnight hours.
• Edgely Road (Bristol & Middletown Townships): Overnight paving will continue between New Falls Road and Route 13 (Bristol Pike) from 7:00 PM to 5:00 AM.

Thank you to everyone who has shared feedback about road conditions — your input truly helps guide these improvements. Please continue to use caution in work zones, and I’ll keep working with PennDOT to ensure these projects remain on schedule.

Two key developments impacting travel across the Delaware River are currently open for public input.

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission and New Jersey Turnpike Authority will hold a virtual meeting on October 14 and two in-person open houses on October 15 (Levittown) and October 16 (Florence, NJ) as part of the Delaware River Bridge Project. These meetings serve as the Public Scoping Meeting for the Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement and will present updates, alternatives under study, and opportunities for feedback. No formal presentations will be given; attendees can drop in and speak directly with project representatives.
More info: paturnpike.com/delaware-river-bridge

Separately, the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission is accepting public comments through October 17 on proposed toll adjustments scheduled for 2026. Comments may be submitted online, by email, or by mail. Public hearings are planned for October, and a final vote will take place at a future Commission meeting.
More info: drjtbc.org/toll-adjustments-2026

Sincerely,

Jim Prokopiak

Pennsylvania State Capitol

121-B East Wing

Harrisburg, PA 17120

(717) 787-1292

District Office

8610 New Falls Road
Levittown, PA 19054

(215) 943-7206