Dear Neighbor,

The highlight of last week was finding out that 13 grants totaling nearly $3 million — which Sen. Santarsiero and I helped our municipalities and other local organizations apply for — were selected for state funding. The green light came from the Commonwealth Financing Authority, which allocates gaming revenue to local projects around the commonwealth.

Here’s a brief description of each project that was awarded funding:

• $900,000 for Buckingham's Midway Volunteer Fire Company to purchase a new fire engine; both of its current engines are decades old and beyond repair.
   
• $100,000 for the American Legion Post 210 in Doylestown to modernize its kitchen, so it can remain a welcome and active gathering place for servicemembers who rely on it for camaraderie and companionship.
   
• $433,092 for the PA Biotech Center in Buckingham to renovate and expand its conference area, supporting its growth as a hub for innovation, community, and economic growth in Bucks County.
   
• $425,000 for River Crossing YMCA to help fund renovation of the Doylestown Y Skate Park, keeping it a safe and welcoming place for young people who need somewhere to gather and have fun together.
   
• $150,000 for the Doylestown Township Police Department to purchase modern equipment, including portable radios and a drone.
   
• $150,000 for the Central Bucks Regional Police Department to purchase portable radios.
   
• $36,568 for New Hope Borough Police Dept. to equip officers with in-car and body cameras.
   
• $53,802 for Solebury Township to purchase a vehicle outfitted with fire suppression and medical evacuation equipment, to be used mutually by three fire companies: New Hope Eagle, Buckingham Midway, and Pt. Pleasant.
   
• $35,000 for Doylestown Hospital to replace its aging courier van for transporting medical supplies and specimens.
   
• $400,000 for the Moravian Tire Works in Doylestown to make renovations for winterization.
   
• $100,000 for Solebury Township to renovate the Bond House into an environmental & historic education center and area for flexible meeting spaces; and,
   
• $57,158 for the Free Library of New Hope and Solebury to make essential improvements to its historic exterior and install new pathways, improving access and helping preserve this treasured local library as a welcoming place for everyone.
   
• $46,589 for the Oscar Hammerstein Museum and Theater Education Center in Doylestown to make safety improvements to Highland Farm.

You can see common themes among many of these initiatives.

Public service takes many forms, and sometimes the most important investments are in the institutions that show up for a community, giving people a steadiness they can rely on.

At a time when municipalities have to make tough financial decisions, we’re able to put new and better resources in firefighters’ hands.

Good police work has always depended on good judgment, and today it also depends greatly on having the right tools. Equipment like body cameras and drones can give officers better information when they need it – and they give the public greater confidence in how tense moments are handled, building trust between police departments and the public they serve.

And lastly, preserving our history doesn’t stop at keeping old buildings standing. Smart preservation efforts make sure we can continue to use these unique places that helped build our communities, enjoying them and passing them along from generation to generation.

Sincerely,

Thursday:

Saturday:

Click on either image above for larger versions (& the Shred Event sign-up link)

Special Session at Congress Hall in Philadelphia

As Pennsylvania continues to mark the 250th anniversary of the United States, we have a generational opportunity to highlight the commonwealth’s pivotal role in the founding of our nation and the enduring importance of our democratic system.

On Sept. 9, the state House of Representatives convened at Congress Hall in Philadelphia’s Independence National Historical Park, returning to the site where the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights were debated. From the colonial era until today, Pennsylvania’s legislators have helped steer the course of our state and nation.

Since moving to Harrisburg in 1812, the state House has convened outside the Capitol only a few times: 1926, 1951, 1976, and now, 2026, to mark major anniversaries related to our independence as a nation.

We paired this ceremonial Session day with an immersive civic education program, “The Next 250,” where 80 students selected by members of the House engaged with members of the Legislative, Judicial, and Executive branches to gain a practical understanding of how state government operates and serves the public.

To represent the 29th Legislative District, I was proud to invite Ethan Bolanos, a student at CB West High School.

Look for a guest story from him in the next edition of this e-newsletter!

Ethan leading the way as we head to our next stop along with my friend Rep. Danilo Burgos.

Supporting civic education among our young people and getting them experience and exposure to the workings of government has been a priority of mine. It was especially meaningful to see these young folks getting to share in this historic event, and reminding us all that we are passing them the torch of civic duty as the future leaders who will write our next chapter.

America has continued to face its share of challenges since our founding 250 years ago – but our belief that each generation can build a better future continues to be one of our enduring strengths.

I was honored to be part of this historic day, investing in the leaders and ideas that will shape our next 250 years.

I was fortunate to be able to have my son, Tucker, join us for the educational experience.

Doylestown Arts Fest

Trish and I enjoyed taking part in the Doylestown Arts Festival earlier this month. Now in its 35th year, it’s one of my favorite Doylestown traditions! So many talented artists, great energy and a wonderful way to celebrate all that makes our community special.

If you missed Doylestown or just want to take in more of our Districts amazing culture, this weekend is the New Hope Arts & Crafts Festival, Sept. 26-27 at the New Hope-Solebury High School parking lot. Check it out!

A great night with New Hope Celebrates & New Hope Historical Society

Congratulations to Dan Brooks, co-founder of New Hope Celebrates, on being honored at the New Hope Historical Society's annual "Moonlight Over the Delaware" gala.

My Chief of Staff (& New Hope Borough Councilmember), Kelly, was proud to represent our office & that of my friend Sen. Steve Santarsiero, and present Dan with recognition from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for his years of work preserving and sharing New Hope’s LGBTQ+ history - and helping to write some of that history himself.

It was especially fitting for the Historical Society and New Hope Celebrates to come together because the LGBTQ+ community is an indelible part of New Hope’s history - and I hope New Hope is a small but meaningful part of LGBTQ+ history as well.

At the heart of Dan’s work is preserving New Hope’s fundamental identity: there is a place here for everyone. Even when that wasn’t always a given, New Hope has been a place where people can find belonging and community - something to be incredibly proud of - and to never take for granted.

Thank you to the Historical Society for preserving the stories that shape New Hope. And congratulations again to Dan!

Turn the Town Teal

Notice all those bright teal ribbons decorating Doylestown Borough?

Those ribbons are part of Turn the Town Teal, an annual effort to raise awareness of ovarian cancer during National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. For 18 years, Joan Doyle has brought local volunteers together each September to educate our community about the symptoms and risk factors of this disease and honor those who have been affected by it.

With Joan Doyle & Councilwoman Amy Popkin

I was honored to join Joan and the many volunteers again this year to help spread awareness and show support for those affected by ovarian cancer. (Both photos courtesy of Jeff Werner of Patch. Click here to read his article about this year's campaign.)

It's back-to-school season!

Schools across our district are back in session by now – and this year is bittersweet for me: it was my son Tucker’s last first day of school.

I’ve had a tradition of taking him to school on the first day every year. This year, he drove himself — but I still followed behind. As a lover of tradition, I’m not quite ready to stop following along just yet.

Buckingham 325

Buckingham Township is 325 years old! I had a great time honoring this incredible milestone with Sen. Steve Santarsiero at a recent Buckingham Township Supervisors meeting.

We also brought some good news for the future: a $2,435,000 state grant to help fund PFAS treatment for the Furlong water system. Clean water is a right under the Pennsylvania Constitution, and I’m proud to help bring state resources home to protect it.

And I was especially pleased to contribute to Buckingham’s time capsule—a baseball signed by the entire Bucks County delegation to the State House, our County Commissioners, our Congressman, Governor Shapiro, Lieutenant Governor and, of course, the Buckingham Township Supervisors: Maggie Rash, Mike Bateman, and Jon Forest who are doing a great job leading a great community.

Mark your calendar: the time capsule will be opened on August 23, 2050. (I wonder who will be around to explain the baseball?)

Congratulations to Scott Fleisher on his honor from the Boy Scouts

I appreciated getting to sit down for breakfast with Scott Fleischer recently and spend some time with a man who has given so much of his heart to our community. I also had the opportunity to congratulate him on the honor of being recognized with the 2026 Builder of Community award by the Boy Scouts of America, recognizing his longtime commitment to service and mentorship.

Scott has served Doylestown Borough as Fire Marshal, emergency coordinator, and code enforcement officer, helping to keep us prepared for emergencies and disasters. He is also a lifelong volunteer with Point Pleasant Fire Company, where he has served as Chief since 2003.

What impresses me most about Scott, however, isn’t his list of certifications — it’s his commitment to showing up for his neighbors. He also mentors our young people through his work with Scouting America, whose Washington Crossing Council recently honored him as a community leader and role model for local Scouts.

Scott, thank you for the countless hours you’ve devoted to keeping our communities safe and inspiring young people to understand the value of service. It is an honor to join the Boy Scouts of America in recognizing you with a well-deserved citation from the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for your extraordinary commitment to public safety, community service, and mentoring the next generation.

Update on flood insurance & other precautions from PEMA & PA Insurance Dept.

The PA Insurance Department and PA Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) are highlighting the importance of flood insurance and steps taken by the Shapiro Administration over the last three years to help Pennsylvanians better prepare for and recover from flooding.

The actions they’ve undertaken are derived from recommendations from the Flood Insurance Premium Assistance Task Force, which issued a report in 2024 at the legislature’s direction.

The report identified four key areas for action: affordability, risk mitigation, incentives, and education/outreach. It included recommendations to improve flood education, expand access to insurance, strengthen mitigation efforts, improve disclosures during the home-buying process, and increase flood insurance participation. Since 2024:

• PID established a Flood Insurance Ombudsman to serve as a primary point of contact for coordinating flood insurance education and outreach with FEMA, PEMA, and other stakeholders. The Ombudsman is also tasked with helping develop innovative solutions to increase access to flood insurance.

• Pennsylvania strengthened flood insurance training for insurance professionals under Act 142 of 2024. This law ensures insurance agents and brokers who sell property and casualty insurance concentrate at least two of their 24 required continuing education hours on flood insurance.

• PID expanded consumer education and outreach and made flood information easier to find. PID enhanced its outreach and education efforts during Flood Awareness Weeks and throughout the year to remind residents that flood damage is not covered by most homeowners or renters’ insurance, partnering with local governments and emergency management agencies to share resources, promote mitigation efforts, and highlight available insurance options. Resources are easily accessible on PID’s Flood Insurance web page.

• PID also kept Pennsylvanians informed about coverage options during the NFIP lapse. When the National Flood Insurance Program temporarily lapsed, PID reminded consumers that private flood insurance remained an option and provided information to help homeowners, buyers, and lenders understand their choices.

PA State Historic Preservation Office hosting Archaeology Month programs in Oct.

The PA State Historic Preservation Office will celebrate Archaeology Month with series with five webinars throughout October. Speakers Kimberly Max Brown, PhD, Emily Briggs, Debbie Miller, Dr. Ben Ford, and Dr. Matthew A. Kalos will highlight projects that explore Pennsylvania’s role in the American Revolution, life in the newly established commonwealth, and how our communities are engaging with their local history.

For more information or to register, visit the 2026 Archaeology Month website.

PennDOT contest asks high school students to develop solutions for bridge strikes

Applications are open for the tenth edition of PennDOT Innovations Challenge, in which high school students from around the state are invited to use their problem-solving, creative and strategic-thinking abilities to solve real-world transportation challenges in a competition among their peers. The Innovations Challenge is open to all Pennsylvania students in grades 9-12. Details are at the link above. The submission deadline is January 29, 2027.

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

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