NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE State Rep. Robert Freeman D-Northampton RepFreeman.com EASTON, March 30 -- State Rep. Robert Freeman, D-Northampton, announced today that more than $55.9 million in federal COVID-19 relief funding will be allocated for Pre-K to 12 schools in the 136 th House District when students return to school. Local school funding allocations include: Bethlehem Area School District -- $32.12 million. Easton Area School District -- $16.89 million. Saucon Valley School District -- $1.95 million. Wilson Area School District -- $4.53 million. Easton Arts Academy Elementary Charter School -- $506,926. “The COVID-19 pandemic has placed tremendous financial pressure on our school system and this federal funding will help schools safely reopen and help students catch up on learning they may have missed during the pandemic,” Freeman said. The funding is part of the American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund passed by Congress and signed by President Joe Biden. The money can be used for food service; professional training; technology purchases; sanitization and cleaning supplies; summer and after-school programs; mental health supports and more. At least 20% of this money is meant to address Read more
HARRISBURG, March 29 – Responding to the Capitol insurrection in January and the signing of new restrictions on voting rights last week in Georgia, House Democrats are taking action to protect American democracy. Today, a website was launched that summarizes policy proposals to defend democracy as well as links to more information and the ability for people to quickly email their elected officials, noting their support of the bills. The House Democratic Caucus has been working on these proposals since a House Democratic Policy Committee Hearing in January, when members were briefed by legal scholars, hate crimes experts and members of Congress on the language of false conspiracy and election fraud being used to undermine democracy. That same language has shifted from encouraging outright attack to what many perceive as insidiously undermining basic voting rights. “We cannot allow the outrage and disgust of the American people watching an armed invasion of our government to be subverted by a slick rebranding into attacks on our right to fair and free elections” Policy Committee Chairman Ryan Bizzarro said. Members of the House Democratic Caucus have introduced dozens of measures to expand voting rights, preserve election security, protect access to mail-in ballots and polling places, and to clarify and consolidate the often-outdated Election Code. Bizzarro said the site – www.pahouse.com/policy/defendingdemocracy -- will serve as a great Read more
-- Legislation that would allow communities to extend their participation in the state’s Main Street Program to up to a total of 10 years was unanimously approved today by the PA House Local Government Committee and now moves to the full House for consideration, according to the bill’s sponsor, state Rep. Robert Freeman, D-Northampton. Read more
Several state grant programs are open for applications. Read more
State Rep. Robert Freeman, D-Northampton, has introduced legislation that would enable communities to extend their participation – for up to a total of 10 years – in the state’s Main Street program. Read more
State grant programs now open for applications Read more
State Rep. Robert Freeman, D-Northampton, announced that New Creation UCC was one of 130 churches, synagogues, and other nonprofit organizations serving diverse communities throughout the Commonwealth to receive a grant for security enhancement upgrades Read more
State grant programs open for applications. Read more
State Grant Programs Now Open for Applications: March 1 Update Read more
New grant opportunities available. Read more
State Rep. Robert Freeman, D- Northampton, announced today more than $27 million in COVID-19 relief funding to help local schools better serve students and ensure continued academic progress during the pandemic. Read more
State Rep. Robert Freeman, D-Northampton, has been reappointed Democratic chairman of the House Local Government Committee for the 2021-22 legislative session. Read more
State Rep. Bob Freeman, D-Northampton, was sworn in today at the state Capitol to begin his 18th two-year term representing the 136th Legislative District in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. The swearing in marks the 204th session of the General Assembly. Read more
HARRISBURG, Jan. 4 – A group of 10 House Democrats announced the introduction of changes to the Operating Rules of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives to reduce the impact of partisan politics, make sure ideas with broad public support get a fair hearing, and restore the people’s faith in government after the damage done by extremists in Washington, D.C., and Harrisburg. The People Before Politics plan was crafted with this central idea: lawmakers work for the people, not the other way around. It focuses on openness, transparency and citizen control of the legislative process. The People Before Politics plan includes the following proposals: Amendment 1 – The Voice of the People, sponsored by Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, D-Phila. This amendment would make sure each House member has an opportunity to speak at a designated time during the first full session day of the week on any topic, similar to how the U.S. House of Representatives allows members to speak. This change would end the requirement of “unanimous consent” so often abused by extremists to silence members and prevent legislative topics bottled up in committee from being heard by the people. Amendment 2 – Let the People See, sponsored by Rep. Jennifer O’Mara, D-Delaware . This amendment would restore the rule requiring a full 24 hours before final passage of any bill, including all bills amended in the House chamber or in committee, or sent over from the state Read more
EASTON, DEC. 23 - State Rep. Robert Freeman, D-Northampton, today announced two Pennsylvania Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program grants totaling $2.25 million to the city of Easton. The projects include: $1.2 million to Peron Development for a street parking garage at 185 S. 3 rd St. A 245-space parking garage is planned to be developed. $1 million for Lafayette College, Bushkill Campus for the redevelopment of the historic Rinek Cordage Company. The proposed project includes a new 15-acre mixed use redevelopment of several buildings. “The funding is crucial to the future redevelopment of the Easton area,” Freeman said. By constructing a parking garage and redeveloping a local historic warehouse we are bolstering Easton’s economy and improving our area.” Freeman acknowledged Gov. Tom Wolf’s commitment to community development and thanked him for the authorization of the funding. The Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program, from which this grant was awarded, is a commonwealth grant program overseen by the Office of the Budget to assist with regional cultural, economic, civic, and historical projects that improve a community’s economic growth by creating jobs. Read more
EASTON, Dec. 10- State Rep. Robert Freeman, D-Northampton, today announced state funding totaling $606,057 has been awarded to several local organizations to improve programs that support criminal justice and victims-of-abuse programs. The funding was approved by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency during the commission’s quarterly meeting Wednesday. "It's important to the residents of Northampton County that these critical investments are made," Freeman said. "These organizations provide critical services and resources to both our criminal justice system and to victims of abuse. Today's announcement shows that the financial support needed will be in place to ensure services are available and readily accessible." The grants awarded Wednesday in Northampton County include: Northampton County, $148,226 to fund adult probation services. Northampton County Executives, Victims Rights Project, $457,831 for support of the Northampton County STOP Violence Against Women Program. PCCD provides planning, coordination and technical assistance to the state’s criminal justice system and serves as a clearinghouse for state and federal grants to support criminal and juvenile justice efforts. Read more
State Rep. Robert Freeman announced today that $717,691 in funding has been allocated to the borough of Wilson to upgrade traffic signals at 23rd and Butler streets, including push buttons for pedestrians, new traffic signals, pedestrian signs and ADA ramps. Read more
Rep. Robert Freeman's 2021 Capitol Scenes calendar is available to download. Read more
As of this writing, there are approximately 750,000 Pennsylvania votes that need to be counted. That is more than 750,000 Pennsylvanians who lawfully casted their vote and deserve to be heard. Counting every citizen’s legal, timely vote is imperative. As workers securely make progress on tallying the results, we must be patient. This process may take several days, but the integrity and sanctity of the vote in our state must be maintained. Last Fall, in a bipartisan showing, the Pennsylvania General Assembly agreed to allow for mail-in ballots. Since then, House Democrats have made many efforts to help clarify any confusion about the process and give local election boards the tools needed to securely and expeditiously process votes cast by mail. Unfortunately, our Republican colleagues chose political gamesmanship over a genuine effort to ensure a smooth election. Their inaction failed to allow for the early processing of ballots received – as 32 other states permit-- and, in turn, why there is a delay in knowing the outcome of this election. The ambiguity in the law did not address their local official’s concerns; nor does it protect every Pennsylvanian’s constitutional right to vote and our obligation to make sure those votes are counted. Now, more than ever, we must ensure that we uphold the freedoms guaranteed in our state and nation’s constitution. In these unprecedented times, the voters must have the final say, not the candidates or Read more
Please use the form below to sign up for email updates. By completing this form you are acknowledging your request to receive periodic email updates.
By completing this form, you are verifying your request to opt in for email updates...
Thank you. Your email signup has been sent. You should start getting emails within 24 hours.
Please use the form below to email Rep. Robert L. Freeman.
Thank you. Your feedback has been sent.
215 Northampton St.Easton, PA 18042
P*: (610) 253-5543
Hours of Operation - 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Monday through Friday
Hellertown Borough Hall685 Main St.Hellertown, PA 18055
Hours of Operation - 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
first Thursday of the month
207 K. Leroy Irvis Office Bldg.PO Box 202136 Harrisburg, PA 17120-2136
P*: (717) 783-3815