Action on this session's priorities

Rep. Tim Brennan April 4, 2025 | 4:37 PM

PA Representative Tim Brennan banner image

Dear Neighbor,

This edition of my e-newsletter is packed with updates (including my discussions from two more budget hearings) and opportunities, so make sure to read the whole way through!

If you are a tax professional with some time to spare to help seniors in our community, please note AARP's appeal for volunteers in the "FYI" section.

Sincerely,

Tim

Coming up soon!

(More upcoming events are below)

Harrisburg Update

My efforts to support local fire departments

PA Fire Commission Budget Hearing

I spoke recently with State Fire Commissioner Thomas Cook at the commission's budget hearing, explaining that my conversations with firefighters here in Bucks County reveal their departments are doing well when it comes to state support for the equipment they need — but they continue to struggle with the recruitment and retention of volunteer firefighters.

I asked the commissioner what I and other lawmakers can do to support them.

(My current efforts include bills to invest more resources in training for first responders and create a pension fund for volunteer firefighters – more on those below.)

Commissioner Cook spoke about the factors that make some departments’ efforts to recruit volunteer firefighters more successful than others’ and advised the legislature ought to focus on helping the commission find ways to share best practices among departments across the commonwealth, and on studying how the departments in a particular area can regionalize and work together to reduce the number of firefighters needed at individual departments.

My two related bills

Volunteer Firefighter Pension Service Award: This bill would establish the Volunteer Firefighter Service Award Fund to provide a longevity benefit to eligible volunteers. The commonwealth would be required to make monetary contributions, and municipalities would be able to choose to make additional contributions. My aim with this bill is to help with the retention efforts Commissioner Cook mentioned at the budget hearing; an issue I first learned about last year from our local firefighters.

In the 1970s, Pennsylvania had around 350,000 volunteer firefighters, whereas now there are only about 30,000.

Funding for First Responder Training: My co-prime sponsor on this bill is state Rep. Kristin Marcell, a Republican and fellow Bucks County representative. It addresses the fact that even though Pennsylvania’s community colleges play a vital role in preparing firefighters and other emergency personnel, the commonwealth ceased its financial support for this type of education decades ago – leaving community colleges to fund them at a financial loss. As a result, these training programs have weakened significantly.

The bill would re-establish a dedicated funding stream for first responder training at community colleges and provide a $5 million infusion to jumpstart their programs. This funding would allow community colleges to enhance their training facilities and equipment and expand specialized courses that reflect the latest advancements in emergency response, among other benefits.

Budget hearing: PA Treasury

At the Treasury's budget hearing, I questioned Secretary Stacy Garrity on their efforts to make sure that no taxpayer money is being invested in companies or entities tied to countries such as Russia or Belarus following the unprovoked invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Recap: State of Civics with Gov. Shapiro

I celebrated Civic Learning Week 2025 with a virtual event organized by PA Civics, a group I work closely with, that brought together me, Gov. Josh Shapiro, state Sen. Dave Argall (R), and educators from around the commonwealth for a bipartisan conversation sharing observations and ideas to make Pennsylvania a national leader in civics.

You may watch the entire event here.

Click above to start the video at my conversation with Sen. Argall about potential actions to improve civics policy in the General Assembly.

AFL-CIO Legislative Reception

I was in Harrisburg this week to spend the day with members of organized labor at the 2025 AFL-CIO Legislative Reception.

It is so important to hear the concerns of Pennsylvania's work force. As a workers compensation attorney, I represented workers for decades, seeing firsthand the issues they faced and sitting at the kitchen table with these families.

Pennsylvania needs to be able to keep our workforce safe, to provide them with opportunities and a fair return on their work. As a member of the PA House Labor & Industry Committee, I look forward to continuing to fight for working people and an economy that works for everyone.

Big 33 Football Classic

Last week at the state Capitol we recognized the high school cheerleaders and football players who made the Big 33 Football Classic this year! In attendance were Chris Ulmer, a Doylestown resident who made the team as a player for Lansdale Catholic (left), and his dad, Michael.

This year’s celebration also stirred up some nostalgia for me because both generations of my own football days were represented: my high school teammate Greg Mentzer and his wife were there with their son who made the team, Gavin (middle), as was my Ursinus College Football teammate (now a coach), Jesse Shay (right).

This year’s game will be the 68th edition of the Big 33 and will be held on Sunday, May 25 at Cumberland Valley High School’s Chapman Field, with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m.

Upcoming Events

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In the District

Celebrating the new New Hope-Lambertville Bridge

It was an exciting night celebrating the rededication and new illumination of the New Hope-Lambertville Bridge. The year-long bridge rehabilitation made key structural repairs – ensuring safety for travelers for this key route for both communities.

Members of the community gathered with state and local officials from Pennsylvania and New Jersey to acknowledge the hard work of the DRJTPBC and their crews.

The new programmable LED bridge lighting looks spectacular – but for me the highlight of the evening might have been South Philadelphia String Band leading a Mummers march across the bridge!

It was great to have PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll in attendance and chat with him about our local roads and infrastructure.

Doylestown Health & Penn Medicine merger

Tuesday was a big day for health care in central Bucks County, as Doylestown Health officially merged with Penn Medicine.

Doylestown Health is already a local leader in heart health, and this is an important opportunity to provide our region with even more specialized care through this partnership. It was a pleasure to mark the occasion with Doylestown Mayor Noni West, Council President Jack O’Brien, and Sen. Steve Santarsiero’s office.

Celebrating The Next Step's 10th year

My wife and I had a wonderful time honoring our friends at The Next Step at their 10th Anniversary celebration last week; a full house of hundreds of supporters was there to recognize the group’s service to our community.

At its core, the group helps people with disabilities find employment & independence, but they are doing far more. The staff and founder, Josh Fields, serve this community with passion and purpose.

They're innovators, working to change how we think about what is possible for those with disabilities. They are also advocates, drawing attention to the challenges faced by those with disabilities especially while transitioning to adulthood.

The Next Step has been wonderful partners for state Sen. Steve Santarsiero and my office staff at our yearly Disability Fair and we have been honored to support their work. Keep up the exceptional work and keep inspiring our community.

Supporting ALS research

Another stop this week was the 7th Annual Dan Diaz Biotech Breakfast Club ALS Fundraiser. The event raises money for those with ALS and to research this disease. The event is organized by Katie Diaz in honor of her dad, who was a pillar of the local biotech community.

Each year, I support increases in funding for the biotech community and specifically for the research of neurodegenerative brain disorders.

I am happy that this advocacy has helped preserve and expand biotech research funding. I am also proud to work with a bipartisan group of legislators, led by state Rep. Kyle Mullins, who lost his father to the disease, to increase funding for research of ALS and similar disorders. I am thankful that the governor included an additional $5 million in funding in this year’s budget for this important research.

Central Bucks South's College & Career Fair

I had an excellent time talking with students and parents about college, law school, and public service at Central Bucks South's College & Career Fair! Both my alma maters — Ursinus College & Widener University Commonwealth Law School — were there, as were leaders from all kinds of helpful state and local organizations. It was a wonderful reminder that our community is home to many bright young people who are eager to keep growing and bettering Bucks County.

P.S. - Parents and students, please consider coming to the College Prep Night that Sen. Santarsiero and I are hosting on April 30! Experts will be on hand to guide you on everything from FAFSA to choosing the school that's right for you.

Doylestown Fire Company Pancake Breakfast

I was back at the griddle recently with Sen. Santarsiero for the third year in a row at Doylestown Fire Co. No. 1's annual Pancake Breakfast. This event is one of my favorite ways our community supports the volunteer firefighters who come to our rescue when we call on them. As always, it was a packed house filled with gratitude and camaraderie!

FYI

New state website for filing state tax appeals

A new Online Petition Center is available for Pennsylvania taxpayers who are filing an appeal or submitting a request for a refund. The launch of the is part of the PA Department of Revenue’s efforts to improve the online tools it offers.

Volunteers needed for AARP Tax Help services

AARP Foundation Tax Aide’s Doylestown site handled more than 475 returns for clients this year, with our office coordinating appointments at Wesley Enhanced Living. Appointments booked up quickly as tax season progressed, and they're searching for new volunteers to increase their capacity.

Demand for tax assistance remains high and the AARP Foundation is always looking for new volunteers. To get involved, contact them at 1-888-227-7669 or click here.