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HARRISBURG, Jan. 22 – A bill introduced by Rep. Robert Freeman to financially help municipalities with high levels of tax-exempt property cleared its first hurdle today when the House Local Government Committee reported out the bill by a 22-1 vote. Tax-exempt property that may impact municipalities include colleges and universities, nonprofit medical facilities, county and other government offices or state forests and game lands. "Because of the effect tax-exempt properties have on the real estate tax base of several communities in the Lehigh Valley and across Pennsylvania, affected municipalities often have difficulty providing the essential services expected from local government," said Freeman, D-Northampton. "By providing annual funding to these municipalities, we can enable them to fix and maintain infrastructure and to provide the essential services that ensure the health and safety of their residents." House Bill 1677 would establish the Tax-Exempt Property Municipal Assistance Fund to help municipalities with 15% or more of their total assessed property value as tax-exempt property within their borders. It would be funded by the state's existing 18% Liquor Tax, known as the Johnstown Flood Tax. "The Johnstown Flood Tax was created to help Johnstown rebuild after it was devastated by a flood in 1936," Freeman said. "That was a long time ago, and that money can be used to help other communities facing Read more
State Rep. Robert Freeman, D-Northampton, today announced that his area will benefit from a share of state funding awarded to the 136th Legislative District. Read more
HARRISBURG, Dec. 30 – State Rep. Robert Freeman, D-Northampton, today announced that Easton will receive $50,000 through the Department of Community and Economic Development’s Keystone Communities Program. The funding will be used by the Greater Easton Development Partnership in collaboration with the Easton Main Street Initiative for property and business owners in the form of matching grants for renovations, restorations and repairs to existing building façades and new signage benefitting at least ten storefronts. “This funding will help to restore and enhance façades to assist Easton’s ongoing revitalization, which has made it an attractive place for visitors and residents alike,” Freeman said. “By making investments like this, our local businesses will continue to boost our economy and help enhance the quality of life for everyone who lives in or visits Easton.” The Keystone Communities program supports local initiatives designed to grow and stabilize neighborhoods and communities, foster effective public-private partnerships and enhance the overall quality of life for residents. More information on the program can be found here . Read more
HARRISBURG, Dec. 18 – State Rep. Bob Freeman, D-Northampton, has introduced legislation that would require Pennsylvania House and Senate candidates to file campaign expense reports at more frequent intervals in order to create a more transparent record-keeping process during an election year. The legislation (H.B. 2142) would require candidates for the Pennsylvania General Assembly to also file campaign expense reports on or before the sixth Tuesday before the election. They are currently only required to file on the second Friday before the election, but this legislation would add the additional filing, matching the campaign expense report filing requirement of candidates for statewide office. "The change would provide earlier disclosure and greater transparency on who is contributing to candidates for the General Assembly," Freeman said. "This is information voters should have access to earlier in a campaign than they currently do." The currently required second-Friday expense report is filed just 10 days before the election. Freeman said that filing comes so close to the election that the information about where a candidate is getting contributions tends to get lost in the last week of campaign literature and other information. "This would put everything on the table and allow voters to see who is backing which candidates and what they stand for, or more importantly, who they stand with," Freeman said. "It Read more
Freeman, Samuelson holding holiday diaper drive through Jan. 25. The drive will go through Jan. 25 at Freeman’s office at 215 Northampton St., Easton and Samuelson’s office at 104 E. Broad St., Bethlehem. Read more
HARRISBURG, Nov. 20 – Homeowners would be protected from property tax overload under legislation (H.B. 2074) introduced by state Rep. Robert Freeman, D-Northampton. “Many families and especially older Pennsylvanians on a fixed income are struggling to stay in their homes as property taxes rise and the bills get more difficult to pay,” Freeman said. Under H.B. 2074, the state constitution would be amended to allow property tax circuit breakers to be used in Pennsylvania. It would allow local taxing authorities to exempt a taxpayer from paying the portion of their property tax that exceeds a certain set percentage of their household income. “My proposal would amend our state constitution to allow for property tax circuit breakers to be used in Pennsylvania. A property tax circuit breaker is quite simple: it would protect taxpayers from a property tax overload just like an electric circuit breaker. Specifically, it would allow local taxing authorities to exempt a taxpayer from paying the portion of their property tax that exceeds a certain set percentage of their household income,” Freeman said. “This proposal will offer Pennsylvania homeowners needed property tax relief and build fairness into the property tax system by ensuring that property taxes never exceed a set percentage of household income,” he said. In Pennsylvania, a proposed constitutional amendment Read more
HARRISBURG, Nov. 14 – State Rep. Robert Freeman said $428,200 in state grants will lead to renovations and improvements at local parks in Hellertown and Williams Township. Read more
HARRISBURG, Nov. 12 -- A $1.33 million state grant will fund safety improvements along Bushkill Drive in the city of Easton, state Rep. Robert Freeman announced today. Read more
HARRISBURG, Oct. 30 – State Rep. Robert Freeman recently voted for several bills that would provide more support to fire companies and emergency medical service providers across Pennsylvania. Read more
EASTON, Pa. (WLVT) - The Simon Silk Mill is hard to miss. It was built in 1883 and abandoned in the 1960s -- but now, it's home to residents and businesses. Read more
HARRISBURG, Oct. 2 – State Rep. Robert Freeman said two Urban Agriculture Grants totaling more than $52,000 were awarded today to Easton-area projects. Read more
HARRISBURG, Sept. 25 – The state House of Representatives today unanimously passed legislation that would allow communities to extend their participation in the state’s Main Street program from five years to 10 years, announced the bill’s author Rep. Robert Freeman. Read more
HARRISBURG, Sept. 23 – The state House of Representatives today passed legislation that would require compliance with ethics statutes for Act 47 coordinators appointed to assist financially distressed municipalities, according to the bill’s sponsor Rep. Robert Freeman. Read more
HARRISBURG, Sept. 18 – New state tax incentives would be created to promote redevelopment and reuse of vacant factory or mill buildings in municipalities in Pennsylvania, under legislation reintroduced by state Rep. Robert Freeman. Read more
HARRISBURG, Sept. 17 – State Rep. Robert Freeman, D-Northampton, today announced $70,000 in state funding has been awarded to Lafayette College for its greenways study project. The grant, approved by the Commonwealth Financing Authority, will allow Lafayette College to complete a 10-month study to analyze and design options for the development of trails, parks, and surrounding greenways along the Bushkill corridor in Easton. “This grant will play a vital role in creating new trails, parks, and green space for the local community and visitors alike to use and enjoy,” said Freeman. “This greenway project will enhance the quality of life in the Easton area and will build upon the success of the wonderful natural resource that is the Karl Stirner Arts Trail.” The project is a collaboration between Lafayette College, the Karl Stirner Arts Trail Inc., and the city of Easton to transform the former Easton Iron Works and Metal Co. site into usable and thriving public space. The total cost of the project is $82,760. Read more
HARRISBURG, Aug. 1 – Two building renovation projects will bring housing and commercial development to downtown Easton, thanks in part to $3.75 million in grants awarded today, according to state Rep. Robert Freeman. Read more
HARRISBURG, July 11 – The Mill at Easton project will benefit from a $1 million grant awarded through the Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation fund, announced state Rep. Robert Freeman. Read more
HARRISBURG, June 28 – Permitting the State Workers’ Insurance Fund to sell health insurance would make health insurance more affordable, under legislation (H.B. 1679) introduced by state Rep. Robert Freeman. Read more
HARRISBURG, June 27 – Although the school year ended several weeks ago, state Rep. Robert Freeman is looking ahead to improving academic performance in future school years. Under legislation introduced by Freeman, students in 11th and 12th grade would receive academic credit for tutoring elementary school-aged children. Read more
HARRISBURG, June 26 – Municipalities with high levels of tax-exempt property, such as major universities, nonprofit medical facilities, government offices or state forests and game lands would be eligible for special financial assistance from the state, under legislation introduced by Rep. Robert Freeman. Read more
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215 Northampton St.Easton, PA 18042
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