Dear Neighbor, 

Last week, Senator Steve Santarsiero and I had the pleasure of hosting our annual Disability Resource Fair. Thank you to the staff of the Doylestown Community Recreation Center for allowing us to use this beautiful facility, and to all of our vendors who came out to support this special event.

Attendees learned about critical resources available to them on every level, from federal, state, and community-based resources.

Roxy Therapy Dogs stole the show with their furry friends melting the hearts of just about everyone!

Sincerely,

Appreciation for Public Works

I was proud to welcome three special guests from our district to the House floor on the day the chamber voted to approve my resolution recognizing Public Works Week, May 17-23. I invited them so I could publicly acknowledge their own outstanding service to their communities.

Anyone with a background in local government knows that a local Public Works department is the backbone of any strong local government.

Our (largely unsung) public works workers are responsible for managing essential infrastructure, of course -- for example, clearing the debris from our sidewalks & roadways when a storm comes through -- but they do so much more to serve us.

They are up at all hours, doing all types of jobs and putting themselves in harm's way to make local government work for the people who live here. When no one can solve a problem, they jump in and do what needs to be done.

Matt Decker is Director of Public Works for New Hope Borough, and Bill Yob and Terry McCreary both work in Buckingham Township’s Public Works Department. All work hard to serve their neighbors, keeping their towns running – often behind the scenes, before the rest of us even know there’s a problem to address.

I have more to say about this in my next e-newsletter. But in the meantime, If you see any of these dedicated public servants out and about, I encourage you to take a moment to say hi and let them know you appreciate the work they put into our communities.

My continued effort to better support local & state police

I recently testified before the House Local Government Committee on my legislation to help PA municipalities maintain local police coverage. I think many of you would agree that it’s preferential to have officers who know the community, understand local needs, and can respond quickly when people need help. But more and more municipalities are struggling to sustain their local police departments, putting added strain on the PA State Police.

That’s why I’m pushing legislation to help local departments earn accreditation and to take a closer look at the growing impact on the Pa. State Police when municipalities lose their local police forces. We need practical, proactive solutions to keep our communities safe and support the officers who serve us every day

GUEST ARTICLE: Capitol dome tour

Hi everyone, it’s Rachel from Rep. Brennan’s district office! I visited our beautiful PA Capitol Complex this month for a tour of the dome, in celebration of Legislative Staff Week. Rep. Brennan joined me to hear about the history of the dome and the "Commonwealth” statue atop it.

The dome itself weighs 52 million pounds, and the statue brings the total height of the building to 272 feet! We got to see the inside and outside of the dome up close.

The views of the Susquehanna and the rest of Harrisburg were amazing. A special thanks to Jason and the rest of the staff from the Capitol Preservation Committee for hosting a wonderful tour!

Welcoming local students to the Capitol

NHSHS TODAY Club

I had the pleasure recently of showing around several students from the New Hope–Solebury High School’s TODAY Club. 

These students are concerned about youth substance use, how certain products are marketed toward young people and their widespread availability, as well as the growing popularity of largely unregulated products, like kratom, sold in convenience stores and gas stations.

You might recall, I met with this group back in February to talk about legislative issues.

I had the opportunity to let them know that, since that time, I co-sponsored a bill that would regulate these products and how they are marketed. I also inquired with my local government leaders to make sure that these shops are monitored for compliance with existing law.

These are great young people, and they have a bright future. I’m grateful to these students for their advocacy and engagement on an issue that directly impacts them. Keep up the good work!

CB East Cheerleading Team

I also recently welcomed the Central Bucks East Cheerleading Team to the Capitol to celebrate their national title in the D1 Small Varsity Non-Tumbling Game Day Division at this year’s National High School Cheerleading Competition!

The team defeated 41 other teams from 19 states to win not only a national title for Central Bucks East, but the district's first-ever national cheer title. It was a pleasure meeting you and congratulations on all of your success!

Catching up w/ Congressman Boyle

Earlier this month, I had the chance to see my old friend Congressman Brendan Boyle who joined us in Harrisburg. He was there to continue to push back against the drastic federal Medicaid cuts passed last year in Washington and that are set to take effect next year.

This is a major issue for our PA House Appropriations Committee because of the huge hole the passage of this bill has left in our state budget, particularly our DHS, budget which will lose 20 billion over the next 10 years. 

This will have severe impacts on the ability to provide medical assistance, substance use treatment, home and community-based services and so many other important DHS services that people depend on.

I worked with the Congressman for years and truly appreciate the leadership he has shown on this issue, previously as a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, and now as a ranking member of the Budget Committee in Washington.

As the son of an immigrant, he is a true American success story. Side note, I had the chance to pass through his father's childhood home this summer, Glencolmcille, in Donegal, Ireland. Like the rest of Donegal... it was a truly beautiful place.

Town Hall at Wesley

Thank you, Wesley Enhanced Living, for hosting my staff and I for my first Legislative Town Hall at the site. I love that I have the opportunity to wake up every day to serve communities by engaging with all of my constituents and to advocate on behalf of House District 29 at our state Capitol.

At our event last week, I provided updates on the things that I am working on in Harrisburg for my senior constituents across the district and answered thoughtful questions from residents.

My Constituent Service Advisor, Rachel Lamb did an amazing job at informing residents of the services that my district office provide, which include: processing senior SEPTA key cards that allow people 65 and over to ride SEPTA for free, renewing reduced vehicle registrations for under $15, conducting unclaimed property searches, and more.

I look forward to returning to Wesley Enhanced Living next session with another legislative update.

Supporting UAW workers

As a member of the Pennsylvania House Labor Committee, I have been a steadfast advocate of working people. Many of my motivations, as an advocate for working people, grew out of my own family experiences with relatives being injured or killed on the job.

My grandmother Flanagan, who lost her dad in the mines, was quickly evicted from her home and taken in by another family. I constantly saw similar stories after nearly two decades as a workers compensation attorney.  I saw my own family members, including my grandfather and dad (both Teamsters), another grandfather (a Steelworker), an uncle (UAW) and another uncle (IBEW) join a Union and find opportunity. In all my experiences, however, I saw how membership in a Union could improve working conditions along with compensation and benefits. Unions also built the middle class as we know it.

Recently I had the opportunity to speak with a group of UAW workers, who have been struggling to have their employer recognize their union. Despite organizing, they have not received a contract, and their employer continues to work to decertify their union. It is a reoccurring theme in the current environment.  Supporting normal people who want to improve their lives is one of the reasons I serve in this job, and I will continue to push back against this unfortunate trend. 

It was an honor to stand with these folks, who are simply trying to bargain in good faith to improve their lives and their children’s lives.

I’ve stood with UAW and other unions on picket lines and in Harrisburg to improve working conditions for all Pennsylvanians and to make sure that working people continue to benefit from the prosperity we have enjoyed in this country and Commonwealth. It is an ongoing theme that I saw from my grandparents’ and parents’ generations, and one that continues today. I am happy to stand with these folks in organized labor and will continue to do so!

An afternoon with Webelo Scouts

I was recently able to spend some time with Webelo Scout Pack 169, their parents and their den leader Andy Desko. The boys needed to meet with and question an elected official for their adventure pin to move to their level.

We met up at Hansell Park and had a great conversation about government, public service, and how they can get more involved in their government and community. It was really nice way to spend a Sunday afternoon!

BCCC’s Chef Graduation Dinner 

Talk about a special night: Last week I attended the Bucks County Community College's Chef Graduation Dinner, where the entire meal was prepared by this year’s graduates of the Culinary Arts and Baking & Pastry Arts programs!

From recipe testing to final plating, these student chefs definitely earned their marks, as they perfected every detail along the way. With guidance from Chef Marc Winans, Chef John Angeline, and Pastry Chef Linda Angeline, they brought creativity & skill to every course.

Their teamwork and hard work made the evening a true success. As a former community college professor, it is always a wonderful time to attend and support these events! Keep up the good work.

Talking priorities with our Magistrate District Justices

As a grandson of an MDJ (then Justice of the Peace) and the adopted nephew of another MDJ, it is always a pleasure to hear from these fine folks.

We talked about various legislative proposals, budget developments and about the importance of considering our special court judges in legislation that pertains to them. 

New Hope Arts appreciation

Last month, I attended New Hope Arts Annual Patron Appreciation Day in New Hope Borough. The event was held at the art center where Sculpture New Hope, a juried exhibition featuring nearly 100 artwork from 70 artists, was on view.

I had a chance to talk with Larry Keller, former Mayor and longtime supporter of the group.  It was a beautiful night and an exceptional exhibit.

The building has undergone extensive renovation and is an absolute gem in the cultural resources of the Borough.

Celebrating my birthday at the Strawberry Festival, EV Car Show, Bucks County Book Fest & more

So, what is a birthday like as a state representative… in the 29th District, it’s a whole lot of fun! I celebrated mine earlier this month with constituents and friends all across the district, starting the day on the canal with my office’s Reeling in the Fun event teaching kids about nature and fishing.

Next, we moved to the Strawberry Festival at Peddlers Village, visited the EV car show in New Hope, then presented a check to the Friends of the Delaware Canal from the PA Fraternal Alliance after winning an award in Harrisburg (more on that in the next e-newsletter).

I wrapped up the day by reading books to kids at Bucks County Book Fest with my son (my birthday gift from him), then attended the Eagle Scout ceremony for the fabulous Adhavan Balachandar before a nice quiet dinner with the family in the district!

I could not imagine a better spent day and can’t remember a better birthday!

Improvements to Lumberville-Raven Rock Pedestrian Bridge will begin this summer

In a project set to begin this summer, The Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission will outfit its toll-supported Lumberville-Raven Rock Pedestrian Bridge with security cameras and color-programmable LED “node lighting.” The current plan is to keep the bridge open to walkers while work takes place.

It will also assume responsibility for the displaying of an American flag on the bridge, a tradition initiated by the late William E. Tinsman after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

The individual “node lights” will differ from the architectural lighting systems on Commission truss bridges by collectively highlighting only the sweeping arcs of the suspension bridge’s distinctive multi-catenary profile along the river, as well as the bridge’s stone-masonry substructures.

The existing light fixtures attached to the bridge’s towers that cast light down onto portions of the walkway will be replaced with energy-efficient 2700 Kelvin LED fixtures.

The new, larger American flag will be double-sided, enabling its union (the blue field with stars) to be positioned to the top left regardless of whether the observer is upstream or downstream of the bridge. It will be suspended from the same location on the bridge’s downstream side where it can continue to be illuminated by a spotlight at the nearby Black Bass Hotel.

The Commission also plans to outfit the bridge with a handful of security cameras that will monitor the walkway as well as the river upstream, downstream, and below the bridge. 

New student loan program for graduate students

Pennsylvania graduate students pursuing careers in medicine, dentistry, veterinary science, and other health-related fields could soon have access to new financial support through the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency, which recently launched a new Medical and Health Professional Loan Program in response to the possible elimination of the federal Graduate PLUS Program. The goal is to help students continue pursuing advanced degrees despite rising education costs and tighter federal borrowing limits.

The program includes:

• Competitive fixed interest rates
• No application or origination fees
• Flexible repayment options
• Deferred repayment during residency, fellowship, internship, research, and other clinical training
• Potentially less reliance on co-signers

PHEAA also continues to offer financial support for graduate students pursuing degrees in engineering, education, law, MBA programs, and other fields through its Graduate Loan Program.

Doylestown Borough Memorial Day Parade

The Borough of Doylestown will host the annual Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 25, 2026 at 10:00 AM. The parade will begin at Central Bucks High School West and travel through town, ending near East Court Street with a memorial service at Doylestown Ceremony.

To ensure a safe route, no parking will be permitted along the parade route starting at 5:00 AM. Vehicles remaining after that time will be towed at the owner’s expense. Please plan ahead and use alternate parking.

Free parking will be available for attendees in the Bucks County parking garage (Broad, Doyle, and Union Streets) from 9:00 AM until one hour after the parade ends.

Parade route: East on West Court Street ? East on West State Street ? North on Main Street ? East on East Court Street ? Ending with a memorial ceremony at Doylestown Cemetery:  In this service, the United Veterans of Doylestown will lay wreaths in remembrance of our fallen heroes.

Doylestown Twp. hosting free workshop: Aging in Place Safely with Dignity

Learn how to stay independent, safe, and comfortable at home. Don’t miss this informative session! Wednesday, June 3 | 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM | Click here to register.

Doylestown Borough Human Relations Commission: The History of Racial Integration at Fanny Chapman Pool

Join us for a community presentation on the history of racial integration at Fanny Chapman Pool, presented by CB West High School students who researched the chapter of our history as part of the Human Relations Commission's Historical Research Project.

Solebury Twp. Housing Forum #2

June 4, 2026 | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM | Solebury Township Municipal Building (3092 Sugan Rd.)

Join us for an engaging community conversation about the future of attainable housing in Solebury Township. The evening includes conversations with residents, community members who would be served by attainable housing, and a panel of housing industry experts. Your ideas, insights, and comments will help shape future forum topics. Light refreshments provided!

For questions, contact Township Manager Christopher Garges, ICMA-CM: cgarges@soleburytwp.org

Buckingham Twp. Summer Concert Series

The Buckingham Township Summer Concert Series kicks off on Thursday, June 18, 2026, featuring GruvTyme at 7:00 PM.

Tri-Municipal Fourth of July Parade

The annual tri-municipal Fourth of July Parade will be held on July 4, 2026, at 9:30 AM.  The parade begins at the Town Center (little Giant) in New Britain Borough on Butler Avenue and concludes at North Branch Park

Pennsylvania State Capitol

27B East Wing

Harrisburg, PA 17120

(717) 772-2361

District Office

80 North Main St., Suite 1A
Doylestown, PA 18901

(267) 884-0395

Unsubscribe from future updates