In landmark case, judge deems PA’s school funding system unconstitutional
Commonwealth Court Judge Renée Cohn Jubelirer declared Pennsylvania’s school funding system unconstitutional, a historic decision that is likely to transform the way the state funds public education. The ruling came during a lawsuit filed by multiple school districts, parents and advocacy groups in 2014 that argued the state’s funding of K-12 education is inadequate to the point that it violates the state constitution, which mandates a “thorough and efficient” system of education. William Penn School District in Delaware County was the lead plaintiff in the case. In her 768-page decision, the judge said the petitioners demonstrated “manifest deficiencies” between low- and high-wealth districts over the course of the more than three-month trial, which wrapped almost a year ago. Read more in the Inquirer and WHYY.
Source: WHYY; 2/7/2023

Governor orders formation of economic project strike force
Gov. Josh Shapiro signed an executive order that he hopes will bring Pennsylvania more success when it comes to landing “big fish” economic projects. The order formed the Pennsylvania Office of Transformation and Opportunity, which will help develop and lead an overall growth strategy and implement economic development projects — coordinating with state agencies, expediting permit reviews and ensuring the speed of business reviews and approval of key incentive programs. Instead of forcing businesses to go to multiple agencies for permits, approvals and funding, the office will serve as a one-stop-shop to cut through red tape. The executive order also created the Economic Development Strategy Group that, under the direction of the commonwealth’s new chief transformation officer, will bring together the heads of several state agencies. The group will directly advise the governor on economic development projects and processes to attract and retain employers, recruit innovation leaders, and create good-paying jobs in Pennsylvania, particularly in underserved communities.
Source: Daily Times; 1/27/2023

Updated legislative maps now available on SRA website
The SRA website now has updated legislative maps showing which state legislators represent which municipalities following the decennial redistricting. The maps can be found on the Realtor's Guide to Elected Officials in Pennsylvania page of the SRA website. While legislators have not yet been assigned to committees in the PA House, that action may be coming over the next few weeks. As soon as that information is available, the maps will be updated on the website.

Conference will focus on housing options for people with disabilities
Self-Determination Housing of Pennsylvania (SDHP) will host a housing conference on May 9 and 10 in Harrisburg, titled “Housing as a Human Right.” SDHP is a statewide program of Inglis Community Services that advocates for accessible, affordable and integrated housing opportunities for individuals with disabilities. SDHP’s team of regional housing coordinators work with community stakeholders to provide technical assistance and deliver training to increase choice and affordability in housing for people with disabilities and older adults. Read more about SDHP here.
Source: @Home in Adams County

NAR asks FHA to collaborate with other regulators on new reconsideration of value proposal
The National Association of Realtors (NAR) joined a coalition of industry and consumer groups in a response to the Federal Housing Administration's (FHA) request for comment on its proposed revision to a mortgagee letter on reconsideration of value (ROV). This response is in addition to NAR's individual response to the FHA. The coalition requests in the letter:

1. A pause in FHA's revision until they engage with other regulators to create a uniform policy.
2. Efforts to improve education with consumers about the ROV process.
3. Clear guidance for all parties on the new rule.
4. Compliance with current law where the FHA would monitor for bias and share any concerns with enforcement agencies as well as other guarantor agencies and the government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs). 

Source: NAR.realtor; 2/3/2023

Central Bucks voting district case sees full bench recusal
A hearing for a case considering the redistricting of voting maps for the Central Bucks School District was canceled because all 18 Bucks County judges have recused themselves from the case. The existing electoral maps will now remain in place through the 2025 election. A hearing will be scheduled after the appointment of an out-of-county senior judge. The school district needs to realign its voting districts because of unequal representation on the board. The school board voted 6-3 to advance a redistricting plan in mid-November that would shift 12 voting precincts in six of Central Bucks’ nine regions, resulting in some voters in shifted districts not having a vote until 2025. CBSD Fair Votes, a grassroots citizens group, challenged the school district’s proposed map and filed its own map late last month. Jeffrey Garton, attorney for Central Bucks School District, called the full bench recusal “unusual and unexpected.”
Source: Bucks County Herald; 2/7/2023

Public discussion of potential Pennsbury-Morrisville merger
About 125 people attended a recent public meeting to discuss a proposed merger of Pennsbury and Morrisville school districts. Philadelphia-based Public Financial Management Group Consulting (PFM) presented an overview of the potential merger in a 161-page report issued late last year. Three possibilities for the possible merger of the two school districts have been presented: first, Pennsbury merging with Morrisville and combining student populations; second, Morrisville paying Pennsbury tuition to educate its students in grades 3 through 12; and third, Morrisville paying Pennsbury tuition to educate its students in grades 6 through 12. PFM did not provide a recommendation to the Pennsbury school board. Most of the speakers at the recent meeting were Pennsbury residents, and there was little public support at the meeting from the Morrisville community. Those against a merger cited a financial strain on Pennsbury taxpayers, the need to help Morrisville students “catch up” educationally, and whether the merger is in the best interest of Pennsbury. A video of the meeting is available on the Pennsbury-Morrisville Merger Feasibility Committee website. Morrisville School District has sought merger opportunities from neighboring school districts for years due to financial struggles.
Source: LevittownNow; 2/1/2023

Neshaminy officials respond to state auditor’s report
Neshaminy School District responded to a claim by Pennsylvania Auditor General Timothy DeFoor that the district and 11 others used a legal loophole to raise taxes. DeFoor said the school districts used a “legal standard practice where districts are raising local property taxes while holding millions of dollars in their general funds” — money that could have been used to fill budget gaps. The district said they plan to enact any recommendations from the auditor general, but they stressed the office “did not find noncompliance with laws or regulations” at Neshaminy and argued that further explanation was needed.
Source: Patch.com; 1/27/2023

Bucks County envisions innovative use of Almshouse Road property
The Bucks County Planning Commission is in the very early stages of reimagining the former Neshaminy Manor property at Route 611 and Almshouse Road. The county is preparing an RFI (Request for Innovation) for the property that will say the county is looking for “an innovative and forward-thinking land development team … with fresh, new ideas.” The 19-acre site has been home to various county offices through the years. The historic Almshouse building is the only building on the parcel that cannot be demolished. Evan Stone, executive director of the county planning commission, said Bucks officials want to partner with a developer who can focus on a “triple bottom line” that includes financial, environmental and social considerations.
Source: Patch.com; 1/26/2023 & Bucks County Herald; 2/3/2023

Langhorne Hotel up for sale
The historic Langhorne Hotel Restaurant & Tavern is up for sale with an asking price of $2.5 million. Originally built in 1704, the three-story structure has been extensively renovated through the years to currently house a hotel, bar and restaurant, plus several residential apartments. The property at the corner of Maple and Bellevue avenues has had several names through the years, including The Tavern at Four Lanes End.
Source: Bucks County Herald; 2/2/2023

New Garden getting a new public park
Natural Lands announced the preservation of about 106 acres in New Garden Township. The former site of Loch Nairn Golf Club was purchased by the township for use as a passive-recreation park, which is scheduled to open to the public in 2024. Conversion of the land from golf course to park will help improve water quality, absorb floodwaters and offer additional environmental benefits. The new park will offer visitors several miles of walking trails, many of which utilize existing golf cart paths.
Source: Daily Local; 2/6/2023

Penn Township makes preparations for constructing emergency operations center
Penn Township is moving forward on a plan to merge deeds on the lot at 963 W. Baltimore Pike with the adjoining township-owned property, near Jenners Pond Road. The larger lot will be the site of a new building that will permanently house Medic 94 and provide space for an emergency operations center. The facility will be constructed using $850,000 in federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds distributed through a county grant process. The supervisors also gave approval to seek a Chester County Open Space Grant of up to $250,000 for playing fields in phase three of the development of the township sports park. The grant would require the township to provide a matching amount of funding for the project.
Source: Chester County Press; 2/7/2023

Historic bank building to be reimagined in Coatesville
The sale of the historic National Bank of Coatesville Building at 112 E. Lincoln Highway was finalized, allowing for immediate renovation of the property and development of a new restaurant. Built in the early 1900s, the historic 5,400-square-foot building was most recently part of the mixed-use Coatesville Gateway Development Project. Plans are underway for the bank building to serve as the home of 30 Prime, a new streak and seafood restaurant that will be under the management of proprietor Phil Ferro.
Source: Daily Local; 2/3/2023

Aqua announces $2M in main replacement projects
Aqua Pennsylvania announced it has invested $2 million in main replacement projects in West Chester Borough, East Bradford and Birmingham townships. Crews recently began working on a $1 million project to replace 3,200 feet of aging 6-inch cast iron pipe with new 8-inch ductile iron water main. The work will take place on North High Street between Ashbridge and Gay streets in West Chester Borough. A similar project in East Bradford and Birmingham townships will take place on Squire Cheney Drive and General Cornwallis Drive. The new water mains will reduce the potential for main breaks and will improve water flow in the area.
Source: Daily Local; 2/3/2023

Chesco economic council hosts annual Economic Outlook event
Approximately 150 business executives and personal investors gathered to hear expert insights on the local, national and global impacts of an unprecedented post-COVID economy at the Chester County Economic Development Council’s annual Economic Outlook forum. Patti Brennan, CEO of Key Financial, noted that in 2022 inflation spiraled up quickly and the Federal Reserve had to be equally aggressive in fighting inflation. Brennan mentioned that 40% of inflation measurements are housing related. Since there is a 12- to 18-month lag in the data being included in the consumer price index, she said, we’re now dealing with the underlying inflation of 2020 and 2021. Supply chain issues are not back to pre-pandemic levels, but they are getting better, and an aggressive Fed policy is having its impact as well. She anticipates inflation will continue to come down in 2023.
Source: Chester County Press; 2/7/2023

Brandywine Battlefield plan one step closer
The Brandywine Battlefield Heritage Interpretation and Connectivity Plan is one step closer to becoming a reality after Birmingham Township supervisors voted formally on Feb. 6 to enter into the agreement. The Brandywine Conservancy has led the initiative to partner with seven townships within the battlefield footprint — Birmingham, Chadds Ford, East Bradford, Kennett, Pennsbury, Thornbury and Westtown — to produce a multi-municipal plan focused on the Battle of Brandywine, including interpretive sites, trails and bikeways, and open space. Mike Shiring, a Birmingham supervisor, said the plan calls for themed signage interpreting the battle from the perspective of the municipality, and providing information on whether visiting the other interpretive sites can be done on foot, bicycle or car. There is no timetable for the plan’s final approval or implementation.
Source: Chadds Ford Live; 2/7/2023