Dear Neighbor,

Before getting into the state budget and other news, I have an update about my office to share.

We recently completed the restoration of a new decorative piece that we are proud to display. Many of you may remember our former office director, Carol Spiewak, who passed away last December after a battle with cancer.

Last week I picked up her restored antique mandolin from the Bucks County Folk Music Shop in New Britain. It will hang in her memory and was restored to playing quality, as she would no doubt appreciate, and which will undoubtedly lead to impromptu office music sessions now and then.

Carol lived deliberately and made the most of every moment. She had a beautiful soul, a deep sense of empathy and justice, and the courage to pursue seemingly impossible goals with the energy and confidence to change the world.

We are all deeply grateful for the impact she made in this little corner of the world she chose to transform. Those of us who knew her are all a little better for it.

Hers was a life well lived, and this piece of her legacy gives us another opportunity to celebrate it every day.

Sincerely,

(L/top - Carol's mandolin; R/top - At a 2023 summer concert at Broadstreet Commons Park)

A responsible, forward-looking budget for Pennsylvania

This week, the legislature reached an agreement on a balanced state budget that not only avoids raising taxes—it cuts them. It also maintains our Rainy Day Fund at nearly $8 billion, keeping Pennsylvania on the path of being the only growing state economy in the Northeast.

From the start of these negotiations, my focus during our Appropriations Committee budget hearings (see a couple snapshots below) was on protecting the investments that stand up for working families, make our communities safe, support our most vulnerable neighbors, and grow opportunity across Bucks County and the commonwealth.

Following is a look at some of the key successes for our district:

Protecting Healthcare & Human Services

We successfully pushed back against efforts to cut healthcare and related services. Instead, we increased crucial investments:

• $21 million to recruit and retain direct-support professionals who care for people with disabilities and older adults.

• $154.4 million (6.1% increase) for the Intellectual Disabilities – Community Waiver Program; plus we protected its 2024–25 rate increases and waiver spots for individuals relying on these essential supports.

These investments help ensure that people who depend on these services—and the workers who provide them—aren’t left behind.

Supporting Innovation & Critical Medical Research

We saw a modest but meaningful increase in biotech research funding, great news for the PA Biotechnology Center of Bucks County and the schools and students it partners with.

I continue to champion research into neurodegenerative brain disorders like ALS. This year, I joined a bipartisan effort—led by my friend Rep. Kyle Mullins and former Republican Speaker Bryan Cutler—to establish a new $5 million line item dedicated to ALS research. Both leaders lost parents to ALS, and their perseverance helped deliver this major investment.

Last year, we also stood up the first-ever Alzheimer’s Dementia and Related Disorders Office in the Department of Aging, and this budget continues building on that work.

Historic Education Investments

This budget makes a herculean effort to meet our constitutional obligation to public education, with nearly $1 billion in new funding statewide. That includes:

• $565 million for the second installment of adequacy and tax-equity payments required by the Commonwealth Court’s ruling.

• $178 million (14.6% estimated savings) from cyber charter funding reform.

• $40 million more for Special Education.

• $28.5 million (6.7% increase) for Early Intervention.

These investments strengthen our neighborhood schools and ensure every child—no matter their ZIP code—has access to a high-quality education.

Investing in Child Care & Working Families

We delivered meaningful tax relief for working families, including $25 million for the Child Care Worker Retention and Recruitment initiative, supported by both statewide child-care advocates and the PA Chamber of Commerce. This investment helps stabilize the workforce that cares for our kids and keeps parents in the workforce.

Cutting Taxes for Workers & Employers

This budget continues our work to grow Pennsylvania’s economy responsibly, including a further reduction in the Corporate Net Income Tax to improve our competitiveness. And speaking of competitiveness, our region received a leg-up with the designation of a new Keystone Opportunity Zone in Bucks County.

But the part I'm most excited about is that we created the 7th tax cut for everyday Pennsylvanians since I took office: the new Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit. 

Any household eligible for the federal Earned Income Tax Credit will now receive a state credit worth 10% of their federal EITC amount—ranging from roughly $400 to over $1,000, depending on income and family size.

We also exempted Holocaust survivors from state taxes on reparations—an important and overdue step that will finally be in place this coming tax season.

Other tax cuts we preserved in this budget include the Child & Dependent Care Enhancement Tax Credit to help working parents afford day care for a child and/or home visit services for an elderly relative; and the Property Tax/Rent Rebate program that gives cash back to qualifying seniors and people with disabilities on the mortgage or rent they paid the previous year. 

Standing With Older Pennsylvanians

We expanded support for our seniors by:

• Adding $10 million for Area Agencies on Aging.

• Extending the moratorium that prevents cost-of-living increases from jeopardizing seniors’ eligibility for PACENET prescription coverage.

Strengthening Public Safety & Protecting Vulnerable Populations

The budget includes:

• A 2.1% increase for both Domestic Violence programs and Rape Crisis services.

• A major expansion of anti–human trafficking enforcement in the Attorney General’s budget.

Investing in Agriculture & Open Space

Agriculture is PA's key economic driver, and Bucks County is one of the stars of the show. This budget increases funding for Agriculture Innovation Development by $10 million, supporting research and projects like the new Poultry Science Center at Delaware Valley University, which Senator Santarsiero and I worked to secure.

Since taking office, I’ve focused on protecting farmland and open space, including advancing legislation to preserve farms in Bucks County and beyond. This budget continues that momentum.

Environmental Protection & Energy Oversight

We made progress on environmental funding, though more work is needed:

• $25 million to renew the wildly successful Solar for Schools program that's saving schools money and strengthening the grid.

• Increases for core DEP functions, including:

  • 6% increase for General Government Operations

  • 7% increase for Environmental Program Management

  • 59.7% increase for Chesapeake Bay Agricultural Source Abatement

  • 7% increase for Environmental Protection Operations

We also secured a provision giving the Public Utility Commission oversight of PJM’s load forecasting to ensure grid planning remains transparent, accurate, and protective of ratepayers. (In other words, making it easier for us to protect residential customers like you from exorbitant rate increases.)

Transportation & Infrastructure

Finally, the budget continues PennDOT's investments into improving the conditions of our languishing roads, bridges and highways: 

• $650 million (3.2% increase) for Safety and Improvement

• $1.18 billion (3.6% increase) for Maintenance

Remembering former State Rep. EJ Lucyk

I introduced legislation on October 28 to honor former state Rep. Edward “EJ” Lucyk, who represented the 123rd Legislative District for 11 terms from 1980-2002. (You can watch my remarks in the video at the end of this story.)

Members of EJ’s family -- including his daughter Tara Gensler, granddaughter Margaux Gensler (now attending college in our own backyard at DelVal!), and son Matt Lucyk -- joined us in the House chamber as guests of myself and my bipartisan cosponsors on the bill, State Representatives Jamie Barton and Tim Twardzik. We were also lucky to be joined by some of his colleagues turned friends,; former Speaker Keith McCall, former Congressman Tim Holden (also a former PLCB chair), and former Rep. Neal Goodman. 

Born on July 29, 1942, in Shenandoah, Schuylkill County, known as Pennsylvania’s “Coal Region,” Lucyk passed away this year just a few weeks before his 83rd birthday.

L/top: EJ's last portrait as a House member

R/bottom: At an Appropriations hearing in 1992

EJ was one of those rare individuals who excelled at everything he put his mind to, casually accomplishing what many could only dream of and leaving a legacy of success in every endeavor. At the same time, those who knew him best remember his loyalty, compassion, curiosity, integrity, generosity, and collegiality—and his unique sense of humor that balanced his otherwise rough exterior.

L/top: With the Phanatic in 1994

R/bottom: Swearing in for the 1993-94 session

You may be wondering how I became so fond of a lawmaker who represented a district on the other side of the commonwealth. I spent my earliest years growing up on the same block as Lucyk’s legislative district office and visited it as a child to meet his staff and learn about the work of a state legislator. EJ quickly became a role model and a symbol of something to be proud of: our government.

I had the opportunity to work briefly with EJ more than 20 years ago and always looked forward to the days he was in the office, eager to hear his stories about life—especially his experiences serving as a captain in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. What I learned during those years was how skillfully EJ balanced greatness with goodness. His most significant accomplishments weren’t the ones I admired as a child or the ones listed in a biography. He was a kind, encouraging, and thoughtful person, ever-present behind everything he did and achieved. I can only hope to remember his example and the lesson it carries: how important we are as representatives to those watching or looking up to us, both by the titles we hold and by the way we carry them.

My Events

Showing appreciation to our veterans

In honor of the veterans in our community who continue to enrich our lives, Sen. Steve Santarsiero and I cohosted a Veteran's Luncheon last week at the American Legion Post 210 in Doylestown. It was a privilege to spend time with these service members, hear their experiences, and share updates on the work we’re doing in Harrisburg and here at home.

We were also honored to hear from former Congressman and 32nd Army Under Secretary Patrick J. Murphy, whose words served as a powerful reminder of the true meaning of service & sacrifice.

It was a wonderful opportunity to express gratitude to those who have worn the uniform, to the families who support them, and to honor the memory of those who are no longer with us.

“The Fierce Urgency of Now” with Bucks County NAACP

Lt. Governor Austin Davis delivered a stirring speech at the Bucks County NAACP annual banquet in October, urging us to remember that progress in how we deliver justice is too important to wait. The theme for the event’s 74th year, “The Fierce Urgency of Now,” celebrated the advocates in our community who push us forward with courage, conviction, and compassion.

Congratulations and gratitude to the award recipients, and to the Bucks County NAACP for their outstanding work on behalf of our community over the years:

• Jean Dolan, Bucks County Community College
• John Greer, Bucks County AFL-CIO
• Kevin LaVigne Antoine, author (and past VP at BCCC)
• Laura Rose, community activist
• The Peace Center; Danny Thomas, Former Executive Director
• African American Historical & Cultural Society Bucks of County; Juanita Tiggett-Slaton, Director
• Second Baptist Church of Doylestown; Reverand Doctor Robert Hamlin, Sr., Pastor.

Promoting local tourism

Visit Bucks County, our region’s official destination-marketing organization, recently held its annual event that brings together tourism and hospitality leaders, small business owners, and cultural stakeholders from across Bucks County.

Tourism continues to be a major driver of economic growth - last year, the county welcomed 8.4 million visitors, generated approximately $1.3 billion in economic impact, and supported more than 29,000 local jobs. This momentum is making a real difference for our downtowns, restaurants, galleries, shops, and lodging businesses.

In our district, we’re proud to highlight some of the standout cultural and recreational destinations:

• Fonthill Castle & Moravian Pottery and Tileworks, celebrating Henry Mercer’s artistic legacy through extraordinary architecture and handcrafted tile traditions.

• Delaware Canal State Park, offering scenic outdoors, recreation, and heritage trails.

• Peddler’s Village, a beloved destination blending shopping, dining, seasonal festivals, and Bucks County charm.

Plus, the countless independent galleries, cafés, boutiques, and experiential businesses in Doylestown, Buckingham, New Hope and beyond that make our region vibrant and unique.

Thank you to Visit Bucks County and all the businesses, artists, and community partners who make our region so welcoming and vibrant. 

At Manoff Market Gardens in Solebury

Forging the Future for the Delaware Canal

Speaking of Delaware Canal State Park, last week I was delighted to attend the Friends of the Delaware Canal’s “Forging the Future for the Delaware Canal” event in New Hope.

The Board shared important updates on ongoing infrastructure improvements and construction along the Canal – including the long-awaited reopening of the Lumberville Aqueduct (more on that below) following damage from 2021’s Hurricane Ida. The Friends also previewed their ambitious 2032 Vision Plan, and it’s inspiring to see their ambitious plans for the future.

Honoring Neshaminy Manor

I had the honor of presenting a citation to Neshaminy Manor for their 25th building anniversary last month, alongside fellow Bucks County Rep. Brian Munroe. This 360-bed senior facility was recently recognized by Newsweek as the 12th best nursing home among 1,050 residential facilities across 25 states with the highest number of nursing homes.

This recognition by Newsweek is not only a testament to the county’s and state’s commitment to excellent senior care, but also a reflection of the dedication of every staff member and their efforts to create a special place for residents.

Congratulations to the staff and leadership!

Pennsylvania State Capitol

27B East Wing

Harrisburg, PA 17120

(717) 772-2361

District Office

80 North Main St., Suite 1A
Doylestown, PA 18901

(267) 884-0395