RSVP here for our Farmers' Breakfast on July 30 in Pottstown. Read more
HARRISBURG, Aug. 20 – State Rep. Paul Friel announced today that PennDOT has awarded $900,000 in competitive state Multimodal Transportation Funds for an improvement project in his legislative district. The money will go to Phoenixville Borough for improvements to Bridge and Starr streets, including the extension of Starr Street North, to provide an additional exit for Ashland Street, and to improve SEPTA access. “I’m thrilled to announce that we are continuing to invest in infrastructure projects in Chester County,” said Friel, D-Chester. “This funding will address some key safety, traffic flow and public transportation needs in Phoenixville benefiting the whole community. “This infusion of state funding is a wise use of our resources, helping to keep costs down for local taxpayers while improving the quality of life for those who live, work and travel in Phoenixville.” The grant is part of 66 projects funded in 32 counties across Pennsylvania totaling $51 million. The program is intended to provide financial assistance to municipalities, councils of government, businesses, economic development organizations, public transportation agencies, and ports and rail freight entities to improve transportation assets that enhance communities, pedestrian safety, and transit revitalization. Read more
Late Summer Newsletter Read more
NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Commission on Crime and Delinquency: School Safety and Mental Health Grants Who May Apply: Eligible school entities as defined under 24 P.S. §13-1314.1-B of the PA Public School Code. Use: Funding may be used to assist schools with physical safety and/or behavioral health needs. Funds: $100 million is available to be distributed via a formula that stipulates school districts are to receive $100,000 base average and an additional amount based on their 22/23 Adjusted Average Daily Membership. Other eligible school entities are to receive $70,000. Application Deadline: September 26, 2024 More information: PCCD Website Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Targeted School Safety Grants for Nonpublic Schools Who May Apply: Nonpublic schools as defined under Section 924.3-A of the PA Public School Code, municipalities, law enforcement agencies, or approved vendors. Use: Funding may be used to assist schools with physical safety and/or behavioral health needs. Funds: A total of $19,665,000 in state school safety and security funds is being announced to support this initiative. Application Deadline: September 26, 2024 More information: PCCD Website PennDOT: Rail Freight Assistance Program/Rail Transportation Assistance Program Who May Apply: Railroad company, transportation organization, municipality, municipal authority, user Read more
Rep. Dan Williams and I were joined by Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding, state Rep. Dave Zimmerman, and farmers from around the region. Read more
NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Commission on Crime and Delinquency: STOP Violence Against Women Statewide Training & Technical Assistance: Law Enforcement Who May Apply: Eligibility for these funds is open to any potential applicant who can produce the training and technical assistance opportunities to meet the goals and objectives of the program. Use: Funds for the proposed project shall be used to implement training and technical assistance to law enforcement officers to align with STOP Implementation Plan goals and objectives, including to enhance the capacity of local communities to develop and strengthen effective law enforcement and prosecution strategies to combat violent crimes against women and to develop and strengthen victim services in cases involving violent crimes against women. Funds: Projects should not exceed a total of $105,000 over a three-year period. Application Deadline: August 23, 2024 More information: PCCD Website Commission on Crime and Delinquency: STOP Violence Against Women Statewide Training & Technical Assistance: Prosecution Who May Apply: Eligibility for these funds is open to any potential applicant who can produce the training and technical assistance opportunities to meet the goals and objectives of the program. Use: Funds for the proposed project shall be used to provide training and technical assistance to Pennsylvania Prosecutors to improve the Read more
HARRISBURG, July 19 – Legislation to allow employer contributions for PA 529 accounts, as well as a plan to reform state law regarding net operating losses, each passed in the state budget deal signed last Thursday in Harrisburg. Originally planned as two bills by state Rep. Paul Friel, H.B. 1745 and H.B. 1483 respectively, the language and effect of his initiatives is now law under budget legislation. The first change would amend the state Tax Code to add the 529 Tuition Account Program Tax Credit, allowing for employer contributions to PA 529 College and Career Savings Program accounts. “We need new, creative solutions to help families afford a college education for their students, and for the commonwealth to invest into our workforce. Looping employers into the tuition savings process will help facilitate both,” Friel said. Meanwhile, the budget included a change to the Net Operating Loss tax deduction proposed by Friel, from 40% to 80%, which aligns with the federal standard to make Pennsylvania-based businesses more competitive. “The goal of the legislation is to ensure that Pennsylvania is an attractive place to start and grow a business, and this change goes a long way to accomplish that,” Friel said. Read more
I’m proud to announce that not only did we pass a comprehensive and bipartisan budget that doesn’t raise taxes for Pennsylvania, two of my legislative initiatives were folded into the budget plan. Read more
I’m inviting all farmers from the 26th Legislative District to a breakfast with Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding at 9 a.m. Wednesday, July 24 at Great Marsh Institute in Elverson. Read more
I hope this email reaches you with your summer in full swing! My constituent service offices will be closed this Thursday and Friday so that my staff can celebrate Independence Day. I wish you and your family a happy Fourth this week, as well! Read more
Summer 2024 Read more
I’m proud to announce that I introduced a bill to update and expand Pennsylvania’s Beginning Farmer Tax Credit Program to attract and keep new farmers. Read more
High-level University of the Arts administrators tried to halt the university’s abrupt June closure, but were stonewalled and frozen out, one said Monday at a state hearing on the sudden shutdown. Read more
“All farming is worth incentivizing, but especially on local family farms, where Pennsylvania traditions and innovations are both passed on,” Friel said. Read more
This week in Harrisburg, I had a chance to testify about a bill I sponsored that seeks to help small businesses start and grow here in the Commonwealth, promoting a climate of investment. Read more
HARRISBURG, June 7 – State Rep. Paul Friel this week introduced a bill ( H.B. 2393 ) that seeks to change the way that Pennsylvania handles food processing residue – addressing the hazards this waste can cause for rural and agricultural communities by updating the process and putting appropriate guardrails in place. Food processing residue, also known as FPR, is the leftover product created by commercial food processing. Food processing residues can include vegetable peelings, raw meat scraps, and liquid-like cleaning wastewater that includes blood, fat, hair and feathers, and a variety of other vegetable and animal byproducts and chemicals used to process them. While FPR can be used to fertilize the soil, it can create numerous problems if care is not taken. For example, some areas of Pennsylvania have seen groundwater contamination. Many other areas find themselves dealing with consistent, noxious odors. Compounding the issue, surrounding states have heavily restricted or banned the use of FPR, making Pennsylvania a target for cheaply offloading the commercial waste. “This bill – a bipartisan legislative solution to the problem – is the result of working with lawmakers from both sides of the aisle, the departments of Agriculture and Environmental Protection, affected community members, farmers, conservation experts and industry stakeholders. The goal is to make sure that FPR is used responsibly, contributing Read more
HARRISBURG, June 5 – State Rep. Paul Friel this week voted in committee to advance legislation (H.B. 2370) that would bring adequacy, equity and stability to Pennsylvania’s education funding system. The bill is now ready for a full vote in the House, ahead of budget negotiations. Friel, who is secretary of the PA House Education Committee, said the legislation represents the foundation of the recommendations made by the legislature’s Basic Education Funding Commission earlier this year. “This week, the House Education Committee voted on a bill that would commit the legislature to phasing in adequate and equitable public education funding over seven years,” said Friel, D-Chester. “The bill also contains cyber-charter reforms, which are essential for ensuring the transparency, responsibility and accountability we should expect for taxpayer-funded education. “This bill is a blueprint for providing all students in Pennsylvania with the educational resources they need, deserve and have a constitutional right to. The court ruled that we needed to close the gap for our students, particularly students in low-wealth school districts. This bill is a solid plan to do that. “Providing an equitable and robust education for each and every student in the commonwealth isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s the smart thing to do – socially and economically.” The legislation Read more
“Equipping police officers with high-quality effective tools means better protection for both officers and the people they serve,” Friel said. “It’s about investing in our local police force and putting officers in the best possible position to serve our communities and uphold justice.” Read more
NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Department of Conservation and Natural Resources: Wild Resource Conservation Program Who May Apply: Counties, municipalities, educational institutions, non-profit organizations, conservation districts, and municipal authorities. Individuals, state government agencies, and for-profit businesses may be eligible depending on the project. Use: Grant applications will be accepted for species surveys, conservation, and management. Funds: Funding comes through the Wil Resource Conservation Fund and a portion of the Environmental Stewardship Fund. Grant size varies, but the average grant award is $30,000. Application Deadline: July 1, 2024 More information: DCNR website Department of Community and Economic Development: Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) The NAP is broken down into five components: The Neighborhood Assistance Program Tax Credit, the Special Program Priorities, the Neighborhood Partnership Program, the Charitable Food Program, and the Enterprise Zone Program Tax Credit. Please visit the link below for specific information on each component. Who May Apply: Depending on the program, eligible applicants include neighborhood organizations that hold a ruling from the IRS as nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organizations, and organizations operating as food banks, food pantries, or emergency food providers. Use: Use varies by program, but priorities for this funding Read more
POTTSTOWN, May 16 – State Rep. Paul Friel presented a grant of $146,125 to the North Coventry Township Police Department on Wednesday. The funding comes from the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development and will be used to replace an aging police vehicle and purchase updated equipment, including stationary license plate recognition cameras to aid in criminal investigations and motor violations. “Equipping police officers with high-quality effective tools means better protection for both officers and the people they serve,” Friel said. “It’s about investing in our local police force and putting officers in the best possible position to serve our communities and uphold justice.” Funding also will be used to replace officers’ tasers, which are at end of their recommended lifespan for safe usage. The department says implementing the use of tasers has allowed officers to better deescalate incidents and potentially prevent the need for greater physical force. “We would like to thank Representative Paul Friel and his office for their support that they gave toward this grant,” said North Coventry Police Department Chief Matthew Deichert. “The department will use these funds to purchase equipment that will help officers with their daily assignments and investigations with the focus on keeping our community a safe place to live and work.” Read more
State Rep. Paul Friel has authored an open letter, co-signed by 23 additional regional members of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, urging AmeriHealth Caritas PA, Keystone First, and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia to collectively find a solution that keeps CHOP in-network for coverage under the insurers’ Medicaid plans. Read more
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