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. Read more
POTTSTOWN, June 6 – State Rep. Paul Friel said he is 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. “The Colonial Theatre’s hard work securing this grant reflects highly on our community, and I congratulate the hard workers there keeping up this gem,” said Friel, D-Montgomery. “The Colonial’s preservation is an investment in the enduring legacy of the performing arts and the shared heritage of our community’s generations past and future.” One of the region’s premiere, non-profit arts organizations, The Colonial Theatre is situated in the heart of downtown Phoenixville and operates three distinct venues and multiple event spaces in two adjoining historic buildings. PHMC will actively promote these projects as they align with the upcoming 2026 United States Semiquincentennial celebration, highlighting Pennsylvania's enduring legacy. These grants are generously funded by the Keystone Recreation, Park & Conservation Fund, which receives annual support from a portion of the state Read more
Below are multiple grant programs that are currently open for applications. NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Transportation: School Bus Safety Grant Program Who May Apply: Independent school bus contractors, school entities, and municipalities Use: To promote and increase school bus safety, education, and training, as well as pay for education, training, and other associated costs related to an individual earning their commercial learner's permit, commercial driver's license, or school bus endorsement for the purpose of driving a school bus in Pennsylvania. Funds: $1.2 million in funds are available through the School Bus Safety Grant Program. Grant awards will not exceed $100,000. Application Deadline: July 3, 2025 More information: PennDOT website Department of Environmental Protection: Pennsylvania Grid Resilience Grant Program Who May Apply: An electric grid operator, an electricity storage operator, an electricity generator, a transmission owner or operator, a distribution provider, a fuel supplier, and any other relevant entity, as determined by DEP in consultation with DOE. Use: To implement resilience measures throughout PA intended to mitigate the impact of electric grid disruptive events. Funds: $8 million in grant awards is available through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021. Application Deadline: Concept Paper submission availability will close at Read more
HARRISBURG, June 3 – State Rep. Paul Friel’s bill ( H.B. 242 ) to update and expand Pennsylvania’s Beginning Farmer Tax Credit Program passed the House 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. “This legislation significantly supports Pennsylvania’s retiring farmers, while also creating opportunities for the next generation of young and beginning farmers, especially on local family farms,” said Friel, D-Chester. “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.” Additionally, under the bill, the maximum allocation per farm or agricultural asset for the tax credit would be increased from $32,000 to $50,000. The program was originally established to encourage farmers and landowners to work with beginning farmers to help them get a start. However, since its passage in 2020, fewer than 50 applicants have been certified as beginning farmers under the program. “It’s clear that Pennsylvania must provide better on-ramps for beginning farmers, and that’s where this Read more
I wish you a meaningful and reflective Memorial Day weekend. As we gather with friends and family, let’s honor the memory of our brave military and civil service members who gave their lives in service to our country. Read more about Memorial Day and read on for an update on St. Peter's Road. Read more
This week, I’m proud to report that my bipartisan school transportation bill to update and streamline administrative requirements and collect data to modernize our student transportation laws advanced from the PA House Education Committee. Read more
2025-26 proposed PA budget + local impacts at a glance. Read more
A look at federal impacts on Pennsylvania. Read more
I’m proud to report that three of my bills advanced from committee this week. Each of these bills has broad bipartisan support and they are expected to be voted on the House floor in the coming weeks. Read more
POTTSTOWN, April 17 – State Rep. Paul Friel invites residents of his legislative district to attend a community Town Hall meeting from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, May 1 at The Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St. in Phoenixville to discuss legislative updates, hear about the services provided by his office, and answer questions from constituents. The event is an opportunity for residents to engage directly with Friel, learn about ongoing initiatives in Harrisburg, and share their concerns and ideas in an open, public forum. “This Town Hall is about transparency, accountability and hearing directly from the people I represent,” Friel said. “Whether you have a question about legislation or just want to learn more about the services we offer, I hope you’ll join the conversation.” Constituents who would like to submit a question in advance are encouraged to email RepFriel@pahouse.net with the subject line, “Town Hall Question.” Read more
First, thank you to all the veterans who made it out to my Veterans Breakfast! The conversations we had were impactful. I hear the concerns with what is happening at the VA with federal cuts, and as I said in my remarks, my office is here to help you and to fight for you. Read more
Our next paper shredding/e-waste recycling event is scheduled! Read more
You’re invited to my Town Hall meeting from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 1. I will discuss legislative updates, services provided by my office and answer your questions. Read more
HARRISBURG, March 24 – State Reps. Arvind Venkat, Paul Friel, Bridget M. Kosierowski and Tom Mehaffie have introduced a bipartisan bill that would hold health insurance companies accountable if they systematically fail to reimburse Pennsylvanians receiving medically necessary care. The legislation ( H.B. 966 ) would require health insurers to issue a public report on the frequency of rejected claims that are overturned on appeal and pay escalating fines if more than 50% of their claim denials are overturned on appeal. “A denial rate of over 50% suggests a disturbing pattern of systematically denying coverage for medically necessary care. Not only that, these entities are assuming Commonwealth residents will be deterred by the mountain of red tape necessary to file an appeal,” Venkat, D-Allegheny, said. “Collaborating with bipartisan colleagues on this legislation means more than holding insurers accountable. As an emergency physician, it’s my duty to help patients across the state receive coverage for which they have already paid to maintain and improve their health and well-being.” “An increasing number of people are aware that they can challenge denied health care claims through their insurer and, if necessary, the Insurance Department. However, the appeals process can be lengthy and complex, leading many to forgo it due to the administrative burden involved,” Friel, D-Chester, added. “The potential for Read more
I was in Harrisburg this week for House session, where we voted on important legislation that now moves to the Senate. We passed a bill to stop discrimination solely on the basis that a prospective health care insurance customer obtained an opioid overdose reversal agent such as naloxone. We also passed one to extend VA benefits to Korean-American Vietnam veterans and another to establish a Rural Health Care Grant Program, subject to future appropriations, to help hire medical practitioners in places designated as rural or medically underserved. Read more
Winter 2025 Newsletter Read more
As part of my work on the state House Appropriations Committee, I am in Harrisburg this month and next to hear testimony from the various state departments on the proposed 2025-26 state budget. Read more
Pa. state Rep. Paul Friel questions justices and judiciary officials on the funding and role of treatment courts in the commonwealth. Treatment courts are a valuable tool to get people living with mental health issues the help they need while staying out of prison. Read more
POTTSTOWN, Feb. 24 – New grant funding of $450,000 is coming to East Coventry Township and Spring City Borough for bridge and crosswalk improvements, state Rep. Paul Friel announced today. The grants – approved by the Common Financing Authority under the Multimodal Transportation Fund – include $350,000 to rehabilitate Ellis Woods Road Bridge in East Coventry Township and $100,000 to improve two crosswalk locations along Main Street in Spring City Borough. “The funding is outstanding news for East Coventry and Spring City, which will now save local funds thanks to state-level financing,” said Friel, D-Chester. “Funding for Ellis Woods Bridge has been highly anticipated, and the added protections at crosswalks in Spring City will ensure that people are safe walking downtown.” Friel said that his office is happy to help organizations and entities apply for state funding. There are many programs offered by the state to help drive tax dollars to the communities they serve. “From transportation projects to environmental improvements, there is a wealth of resources available from your state government,” Friel said. “If you are interested in helping locate and apply for grants or low-interest loans for a public project, my office can help you.” Pennsylvania offers grants for many uses. This funding supports growth and success across the state. Those interested can visit Read more
HARRISBURG, Feb. 21 – State Rep. Paul Friel announced today the introduction of new legislation aimed at addressing the significant overpayment of taxpayer funds to Pennsylvania's cyber charter schools. This comes in response to Auditor General Timothy DeFoor's recent audit, which exposed critical flaws in the state's cyber charter funding formula. The audit of five Pennsylvania cyber charter schools revealed that these institutions have accumulated over $618 million in fund balances, with substantial taxpayer dollars being diverted from school districts, Friel said. Notably, the state's largest cyber school has used these funds for substantial real estate investments rather than direct educational purposes. "The findings confirm what many of us have known: Pennsylvania's cyber charter funding system is broken," said Friel, D-Chester. "Our public education dollars should be used to educate students, not to pad the coffers of cyber charter organizations. These excess funds could be reinvested to improve educational resources across the state or to ease the tax burden on property owners." Friel's bill complements existing cyber charter funding reform efforts and focuses on two objectives: Recovery of excess funds: Empower taxpayers and school districts to reclaim overpayments from cyber charter schools. Clarified financial guidelines: Establish clear definitions Read more
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