Freeman bill to extend participation in state’s Main Street Program advances

(Mar 24, 2021)

-- 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

 

Now open for applications: Dislocated worker, intermediate punishment, and wildfire assistance grant programs

(Mar 22, 2021)

Several state grant programs are open for applications. Read more

 

Schweyer, prime co-sponsors introduce bill to repeal Pa. fireworks law

(Mar 19, 2021)

HARRISBURG, March 19 – State Rep. Peter Schweyer, D-Lehigh, along with state Reps Jeanne McNeill, D-Lehigh, Robert Freeman, D-Northampton, Steve Samuelson, Mike Schlossberg, all D-Lehigh, and Mark Rozzi, D-Berks, today introduced a bill which would repeal Pennsylvania’s law allowing residents to purchase and set-off powerful fireworks. “For the past few years, I, along with many of my neighbors have been awakened at all hours of the night from the loud barrage of fireworks near my home and with the Fourth of July holiday approaching, it is time again to address this problem,” Schweyer said. “This goes beyond the borders of Allentown. Many of my colleagues in the House from Philadelphia to Easton and Pittsburgh to Erie have all shared similar fireworks problems in their communities. This legislation would repeal the most recent changes made to the fireworks law and would provide all municipalities more power to enforce the law and help restore quality of life back to city residents.” "As the Memorial Day weekend draws closer, followed by the July Fourth holiday, so too will the inevitable calls and complaints to my office about fireworks activity," McNeill said. "Last summer, as noted by conversations I had with many residents throughout Lehigh County, it seemed as though the COVID pandemic produced an uptick in pyrotechnic use. This increased nighttime activity added to the stresses in our communities: upsetting pets, Read more

 

Freeman bill would permit extensions to Main Street program participants

(Mar 15, 2021)

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

 

Keystone Communities, Fish & Boat Education, and School-to-Work grant programs now open for applications

(Mar 15, 2021)

State grant programs now open for applications Read more

 

Freeman: $25,000 grant awarded to Northampton County church

(Mar 12, 2021)

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

 

Arts funding and PEMA Nonprofit Security grant programs now open for applications

(Mar 08, 2021)

State grant programs open for applications. Read more

 

State Grant Programs Now Open for Applications: March 1 Update

(Mar 01, 2021)

State Grant Programs Now Open for Applications: March 1 Update Read more

 

State Grant Programs Now Open for Applications: Feb. 16 Update

(Feb 16, 2021)

New grant opportunities available. Read more

 

State Grant Programs Now Open for Applications: Feb. 1 Update

(Feb 04, 2021)

New grant opportunities available. Read more

 

Freeman: $27.8 million awarded to local schools

(Jan 20, 2021)

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

 

Freeman reappointed Democratic chairman to the House Local Government Committee

(Jan 14, 2021)

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

 

Freeman sworn in for 18th term

(Jan 05, 2021)

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

 

House Democrats fight to increase transparency and accountability, make sure the people come first

(Jan 04, 2021)

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

 

Freeman: $2.25 million in redevelopment grants to the city of Easton

(Dec 23, 2020)

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

 

Freeman: More than $600K awarded to local criminal justice and victims’ programs

(Dec 10, 2020)

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

 

Freeman announces nearly $718K in state funding for Wilson Borough Traffic Safety Project

(Dec 07, 2020)

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

 

2021 Capitol Scenes Calendar

(Dec 04, 2020)

Rep. Robert Freeman's 2021 Capitol Scenes calendar is available to download. Read more

 

Let’s be patient; Make sure every vote counts

(Nov 05, 2020)

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

 

Freeman announces $50K conservation grant for Easton pedestrian bridge study

(Oct 15, 2020)

Freeman announces $50K conservation grant for Easton pedestrian bridge study EASTON, Oct. 15 -- State Rep. Robert Freeman, D-Northampton, is announced today that the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has awarded a $50K conservation grant for an Easton pedestrian bridge study. Freeman said the city will prepare a study for the development of a pedestrian bridge over the Lehigh River in Easton. “The proposed Easton pedestrian bridge will provide an important and easily accessible link between Easton’s bustling downtown and scenic Scotts and Riverside parks with the trail head of the Delaware Canal State Park on the other side of the river,” Freeman said. “With this connection, it will facilitate the movement of people safely across the river removed from the vehicular traffic across the Third Street Bridge and make both the Delaware Canal State Park and downtown Easton easier for tourists and residents to access and explore.” The DCNR Recreation and Conservation grant program is funded with a variety of state and federal funding sources, including the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund (Key 93) which includes Key-Community and Key-Land Trust; the Environmental Stewardship Fund; the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund; Pennsylvania Trails fund (federal source); Pennsylvania Heritage Area Program; and the ATV Restricted Management Account Read more

 

Freeman bill to extend participation in state’s Main Street Program advances
Mar 24, 2021

Now open for applications: Dislocated worker, intermediate punishment, and wildfire assistance grant programs
Mar 22, 2021

Schweyer, prime co-sponsors introduce bill to repeal Pa. fireworks law
Mar 19, 2021

Freeman bill would permit extensions to Main Street program participants
Mar 15, 2021

Keystone Communities, Fish & Boat Education, and School-to-Work grant programs now open for applications
Mar 15, 2021

Freeman: $25,000 grant awarded to Northampton County church
Mar 12, 2021

Arts funding and PEMA Nonprofit Security grant programs now open for applications
Mar 08, 2021

State Grant Programs Now Open for Applications: March 1 Update
Mar 01, 2021

State Grant Programs Now Open for Applications: Feb. 16 Update
Feb 16, 2021

State Grant Programs Now Open for Applications: Feb. 1 Update
Feb 04, 2021

Freeman: $27.8 million awarded to local schools
Jan 20, 2021

Freeman reappointed Democratic chairman to the House Local Government Committee
Jan 14, 2021

Freeman sworn in for 18th term
Jan 05, 2021

House Democrats fight to increase transparency and accountability, make sure the people come first
Jan 04, 2021

Freeman: $2.25 million in redevelopment grants to the city of Easton
Dec 23, 2020

Freeman: More than $600K awarded to local criminal justice and victims’ programs
Dec 10, 2020

Freeman announces nearly $718K in state funding for Wilson Borough Traffic Safety Project
Dec 07, 2020

2021 Capitol Scenes Calendar
Dec 04, 2020

Let’s be patient; Make sure every vote counts
Nov 05, 2020

Freeman announces $50K conservation grant for Easton pedestrian bridge study
Oct 15, 2020