Progress on infrastructure & protecting your rights

Rep. Tim Brennan April 17, 2025

PA Representative Tim Brennan banner image

Dear Neighbor,

This week's e-newsletter includes important updates from my work in Harrisburg and around our community. I hope you find it useful and informative.

This weekend, I'm thinking of our Jewish friends and neighbors as you continue to celebrate the renewal of Passover, and of those who will observe Easter this Sunday, and wishing joy and comfort to all.

Sincerely,

Tim

Harrisburg Update

Shaping the state budget

This week I’m sharing some final comments from the budget hearings we held over the past months. We’re still in the negotiating phase of the final budget; I will have more to report this spring as we take up specific funding bills in the PA House chamber.

PA Commission for Community Colleges

I spoke with the commission's leaders about capital funding investments and the backlogged projects for community colleges. These schools offer opportunities for several different groups to get ahead in their academia. (And speaking of community colleges, the next story talks about my latest effort to boost their offerings – and our community safety.)

Department of Human Services

I asked the department's leaders, including its Secretary, Dr. Valerie Arkoosh, about crisis walk-in centers and how money from Gov. Josh Shapiro’s budget will be implemented in boosting these facilities. I also asked about the federal cuts from D.C. and how that would impact PA.

If you need mental health support, you may dial 988 for immediate help from the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. You may click here for additional resources from DHS.

Department of Corrections

I spoke with department leaders about the closing of SCI Rockview and the estimated $74 million in facility improvements that are needed, as well as the 10-year plan outline.

Dept. of Conservation & Natural Resources

Our discussion focused on how the department is allocating its funding to help improve our state parks and forests to spur economic growth in outdoor recreation, where Bucks County has the potential to expand our already robust industry.

First bill signing with Gov. Shapiro

Gov. Shapiro recently invited me to commemorate the signing of my first bill to be passed into law as your state legislator. While the terms of municipal cemetery ownership may rarely make headlines, I am proud of the significant cost savings it will provide to local governments around Pennsylvania – savings that will be passed down to you, the taxpayers.

This was the definition of a homegrown bill: Local officials alerted me to the issue, with Buckingham Township Supervisor Maggie Rash and Stacey Mulholland – executive director of the Bucks County Association of Township Officials (BCATO) at the time – supplying me with the intricate details to work out a solution via state legislation. From that meeting in a Doylestown restaurant to the governor’s desk… it’s a government cooperation success story I’ll look forward to sharing for years to come!

I’m grateful to my colleagues on both side of the aisle for supporting this effort and can’t wait to celebrate my next success on your behalf.

Interview about my proposal re: community colleges & first responders

While Rep. Kristin Marcell and I haven't yet formally introduced our bipartisan legislation to re-establish state funding to Pennsylvania's community colleges to boost their first responder training programs (it was discontinued decades ago), WTAJ caught wind of our proposal and spoke with me about it for a recent story. Making sure first responders are safe—that our communities are safe—is the most important thing we can be doing as elected officials.

Standing up for your reproductive rights

I stood at the Reproductive Rights for All rally with my House colleagues to make it clear to Pennsylvanians that we're here to fight for your reproductive rights.

Speakers included experts from Planned Parenthood Keystone, and the sponsor of several House bills we’re advocating to protect your personal liberty:

? State Rep. Lindsay Powell spoke about her Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act (FACE), which would establish a state version of the federal FACE law (signed by President Bill Clinton in 1994) to protect patients from violence and intimidation when they seek reproductive care. No one deserve to face violence for their own personal healthcare decisions.

? State Rep. Kristine Howard spoke about her proposal to replace PA’s Abortion Control Act with the Reproductive Freedom Act, a more rational and compassionate model that would safeguard individuals’ rights to make their own medical decisions.

? State Rep. Melissa Shusterman spoke about her legislation that would protect access to emergency health care by codifying the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act into state law and a bill to expand reproductive coverage under PA’s Health Insurance Exchange.

I can’t put it better than Rep. Mary Jo Daley, who co-chairs the PA Women's Health Caucus: "Our state must be a place where personal freedoms are protected and where every resident can access health care without interference. By supporting these safeguards, we affirm our shared commitment to personal liberty, civil discourse and the protection of every Pennsylvanian’s right to seek care safely and freely."

Supporting the work of MDJs

This week in Harrisburg I attended a reception for our Special Court Judges. These local judges are some of the busiest in the commonwealth, and they do exceptional work in our communities. These judges continue to need increased training support, and each year I sign on to a bill to help them secure full resources.

It was also good to see one of our own, Judge Mark Douple, a Doylestown judge who is very active with the Special Court Judges Association of Pennsylvania, which hosted the event. These courts have always had a special place in my heart; in addition to practicing law before them, I practically grew up in one of these courtrooms because my grandfather was also a Magistrate District Judge.

Joining the new Law Enforcement Caucus

We had a big development in Harrisburg last week with the launch of the Law Enforcement Caucus, founded by Bucks County's own state Rep. Brian Munroe. It is a bipartisan group, chaired by state Reps. Brian Munroe and Eric Weaknecht (R-Berks). They are both former officers and exceptional advocates for law enforcement.

It is an opportunity to discuss policy direction and potential legislation in Harrisburg that puts law enforcement in the room. It is already yielding benefits in directing policy out of the chamber.

While there, I also was able to speak with Buckingham Township PD Chief David J. Scirrotto, who state Sen. Steve Santarsiero and I recently worked with to provide state funding for requested body cameras in the Township. He is a member of the steering committee and was active providing substantive feedback at the first meeting.

Last year, I was the co-prime sponsor of a legislative initiative to secure better mental health and PTSD protections for first responders, which ultimately became law.

This year, I have several bills that would place more funds into law enforcement state-wide, particularly for grants to become accredited or to regionalize.

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In the District

Another PennDOT ride-along!

My staff and I joined PennDOT District 6 Executive Din Abazi and the Bucks County PennDOT maintenance team earlier this month for a PA-29 Road Tour. We had a very constructive day pointing out your road concerns in person and advocating for repairs on key state roads in our area - particularly 202/611.

Our local PennDOT crews have been out in force these past few weeks repairing potholes and addressing issues – we thank them for their responsiveness and hard work!

And we even ran into the Chalfont Borough Public Works crew out on the job while discussing a bridge along Butler Avenue! It was a beautiful spring day for a thorough PA 29 Road Trip.

Bucks County Consortium

Legislators from across the county recently sat down to take questions from local municipal officials at the Bucks County Consortium meeting.

They asked questions about PFAS, fire and police services, federal grant cuts, local roads, local radar, the costs of housing, the Right to Know Law and much more. It was a great opportunity to hear the concerns of local officials and work to make their jobs easier.

I also ran into one of our hardest working local municipal officials, Shawn Curran, Chalfont's borough manager.

Supporting Hep B vaccination campaigns & funding

I recently got to make an exciting announcement with state Sen. Steve Santarsiero about a joint public health effort: We presented a $75,000 grant to the Hepatitis B Foundation that we secured for a Hep B vaccination campaign.

We shared the news at the foundation's event that generates support for Hep B cure research and prevention initiatives and recognizes those making an impact. Making huge regional strides is the Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center, led by Lou Kassa, who continues to be an incredible resource for Sen. Santarsiero and me.

Hepatitis B is preventable and treatable but is still the most common serious liver infection in the world. The virus is known as a “silent epidemic” because people usually don’t display symptoms right away and end up spreading it unknowingly. Since being informed about Hep B by a constituent, I’ve sought ways to support efforts to expand Hep B testing and vaccination.

Catching up with local veterans

I recently got to enjoy a wonderful breakfast to generate support for the American Legion Post 210 in Doylestown.

This past year, Sen. Santarsiero and I secured grant funding for badly needed repairs to the building.

Thank you to the Legion, local officials, our scouts and so many others who make this a great event and a great place for our veterans.

On the way, I ran into (almost) a full quorum of Borough of Doylestown government!

Lenape middle schooler earns national media recognition

I was brimming with pride and admiration when I congratulated Lenape Middle School 9th grader Megha Mallavarapu last week for earning recognition for her entry in the nationwide C-SPAN StudentCam 2025 documentary competition as an honorable mention!

Megha’s documentary, Clean Water: Not a Luxury, But a Right, examines the threats to our ability to access clean water sources, citing data collected by federal studies on PFAS contamination in Bucks County – in our water, and in our own bloodstreams. Her fact-packed 6-minute film is certainly worth your time to watch.

I appreciate that Megha chose to focus her film on a topic that literally hits not just close to home - but inside our homes, and our schools, pools, restaurants, and businesses - the issue of clean water impacts every person in our community. I’m also grateful to her teacher adviser, Mr. Brian Blair, for helping to instill a respect for civics and sense of community responsibility in his students.

As I told Megha when presenting her with a citation to recognize her achievement, I suspect this honor will be just one of many in her lifetime!

Taking a pause for storytime

I took some time during the Week of the Young Child to visit the Morrisville YMCA and read some of my favorite stories to young people and learn more about the services provided by YMCAs.

Early childhood education programs like Pre-K Counts, HeadStart and early literacy programs are a critical investment in our young people, with 90% of brain growth occurring during the first five years of life. It’s support that helps our workforce function and it’s good community policy.

When my alma mater meets my legislative work

I attended a few events this week that had a state house connection to my college alma mater, Ursinus College.

First was a brunch to honor Joan Parlee and the Parlee family, long time benefactors to Penn Medicine Doylestown Health, Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve, Bucks County Audubon Society, and our shared alma mater, Ursinus College. You may recall that Sen. Santarsiero and I worked last year to rename the State Street bridge in Doylestown in memory of Dr. Don Parlee, who in addition to his many community contributions was also a Vietnam veteran and bronze star recipient.

Later in the week state Rep. Steve Malagari, also an Ursinus Alumni, joined me at the Bear to Bear reception to help struggling students and provide opportunities for many who would not be able to attend or continue college courses.

Ursinus’ President, Robyn Hannigan, attended both events.

Supporting MS research

It is always nice to get out and support neighbors doing good things. Joseph "Smiley" Terinoni, who many folks know from Bagel Barrel in Doylestown, spends much of his free time helping to raise funds for multiple sclerosis research and treatment.

For several years Joe has annually filled Thunderbird Lanes for the cause. Trish and I dropped in to show our support. We ran into former Doylestown Council member Don Berk and Mare Kremser, of the League of Women Voters of Bucks County. Joe has me nearly trained to join him on his MS bike ride from Philadelphia to the shore. Here are the details if you're interested.

Eastertime in Doylestown

Easter is always a wonderful time in Doylestown! I had a great time at Doylestown Borough’s 2nd Annual Easter Egg Hunt at Broad Commons Park. There was so much joy watching the multiple hunts that went on all morning. I also got to catch up with the Easter Bunny!

FYI

Help talking to your teen about "sextortion"

In honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month and National Child Abuse Prevention Month, NOVA is urging parents to talk to their teens about "sextortion," a crime that primarily targets their age group and is on the rise.

"Sextortion" refers to when someone blackmails / threatens to expose a sexual image in order to make a person do something they don’t want to do, like send more photos or send money.

You may refer to this guide from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children for an explainer and tips on how to talk to your teen about it.