House passes my bill for growing more farmers; Addressing cyber-charter reform in PA

Rep. Paul Friel June 6, 2025 | 2:28 PM

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Dear Neighbor,

It’s already June, and that means that the Pennsylvania House of Representatives is busy with legislative session all month as we work on the state budget for fiscal year 2025-26, which begins July 1.

While we work on the budget, we are also passing other bills to move Pennsylvania forward, and I’m proud to report that my bill (H.B. 242) to update and expand Pennsylvania’s Beginning Farmer Tax Credit Program passed the House with broad bipartisan support this week.

The measure would help Pennsylvania attract and keep new farmers by allowing new farmers to share credits with the selling landowners. The program would also be updated to give holders the option to carry the credit over three years if it’s not fully used in the year it was awarded.

The Beginning Farmer Tax Credit Program sends a clear message: agriculture has a strong future in Pennsylvania. Farms are where Pennsylvania traditions and innovations are both passed on.

My bill is now with the state Senate for consideration. You can read more here.

I also voted for the Cyber Charter Reform Act this week in Harrisburg, which would level the playing field between our public brick-and-mortar schools and cyber schools.

The bill would ensure that the money spent on cyber charters is used to educate the students they are there to serve, puts an end to million-dollar slush funds, and puts Pennsylvanians, who pay for cybers with taxes, in charge of how cybers conduct their operations.

Tell the state Senate to advance the bill by taking action here.

Finally, speaking of schools, I’d like to congratulate the Class of 2025! Your hard work has finally paid off, and I look forward to seeing how you make an impact on our communities, Pennsylvania, the country and beyond.

Great job, graduates, and thank you, teachers, faculty, administrators and board members for your dedication and hard work! Without you, Chester County would not be home to the excellent schooling we’ve come to expect.

Sincerely,

Free shredding event is this Saturday, June 7

Our paper shredding/e-waste event is tomorrow! If you have paper that needs to be securely destroyed and recycled, or electronics that need to be disposed of, please join us!

Date: Saturday, June 7

Time: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Place: Coventry Mall Parking Lot, near Dick’s Sporting Goods

We also are collecting food donations for the Chester County Food Bank. Federal cuts have made the food bank’s mission harder, but it remains just as important if not more.

Colonial Theatre receives $100,000 state grant

I’m pleased to report that the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission this week announced the award of just over $2 million in Keystone Historic Preservation grants, including one for Phoenixville’s Colonial Theatre for $100,000.

These vital funds support historical and heritage organizations, museums, and local governments in 15 counties across Pennsylvania, bolstering efforts to preserve the Commonwealth's rich cultural heritage.

Colonial Theatre’s hard work securing this grant reflects highly on our community, and I congratulate the hard workers there keeping up this gem!

Alert: DMV Text Message Scam

If you receive an unexpected or suspicious text message claiming that you need to pay a bill to the DMV immediately, it is a scam, and you should ignore the text. PennDOT is aware of this issue and is working to remedy it.

If you’re ever unsure about a message you’ve received from PennDOT, you can call their customer service line directly at 717-412-5300. It is good practice to never click links from unfamiliar senders until you’ve confirmed their identity, especially if they are pressuring you to make an urgent payment. Learn more about recognizing scam text messages here.

Pennsylvania House Fellowship Program applications are open!

Fall 2025 applications are now open for the Pennsylvania House Fellowship Program! This 13-week program places undergraduate juniors, seniors, graduate students and law school students attending Pennsylvania colleges or universities in the offices of committee chairmen or House leaders.

In the program, students will draft bill analyses, work on constituent services and conduct policy research. Applications are due July 1, head here to submit yours.

Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program extended to December

The Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program has made it easier for older friends and neighbors to stay in their homes while affording groceries, medicine, and so much more. Also, don’t forget that thanks to changes I helped to make in 2023, income eligibility and rebate amounts have increased significantly!

And now there's more time to apply! If you qualify, the deadline to apply for a rebate on your rent or property taxes paid in 2024 has been extended to the end of this year.

Please contact my office for more information or to apply.

State grant programs available

The latest grant opportunities from the state have been released! My office is happy to connect you with government funding opportunities like these, so please reach out if you have a question or need a letter of support.