Shapiro’s $44B budget proposal expands rebate program, boosts education spending
Gov. Josh Shapiro delivered his first proposed budget address before a joint session of the Pennsylvania General Assembly on March 8. Shapiro called for $1 billion in new education spending, cutting red tape in licensing and permitting, and an expansion of the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program for seniors, among other priorities. The budget request totals approximately $44.4 billion — a 3.6% increase in spending over the current fiscal year. The governor proposed increasing the income cap for older adults from $35,000 to $45,000 a year for eligibility for the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program, and raising the maximum rebate for seniors from $650 to $1,000. Shapiro also intends to bind the income cap to increases in cost of living. The changes would result in approximately 175,000 more seniors qualifying for the rebate, as well as doubling the rebate that the existing 400,000 Pennsylvanians already in the program receive. The governor's proposed budget also includes a $567.4 million increase — or 7.8% — in basic education funding under the fair funding formula, as well as a $103.8 million increase in special education funding. Shapiro alluded to his recent executive order that requires all state agencies to review any license and permit processes they oversee from top to bottom and submit those results to the administration. The governor’s office intends to use that information to set specific deadlines for the processing of license applications. If an agency does not meet the deadline, then the application fee will be waived. Commonwealth agencies have until May 1 to submit their findings to the administration. The House and Senate have recessed for the annual appropriation committees’ budget hearings.
Source: PAR Capitol Report; 3/10/2023

Repairing all homes in Philly metro area would cost at least $3.7 billion
Last year, the repairs needed across the Philadelphia metropolitan area would have cost at least $3.7 billion to complete, according to a report from the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia. The cost estimates “are kind of conservative,” said Eileen Divringi, the report’s author and a community development research specialist at the Philadelphia Fed. She considered responses to the Census Bureau’s American Housing Survey, which doesn’t factor in all types of repairs. Lead remediation, for example, which many homes in Philadelphia need, isn’t included. Housing stock in the Philadelphia region is older than in other regions of the country. Predictably, households with lower incomes are more likely to have persistent repair needs because of the quality of the homes the owners can afford and the bills they must prioritize. Nationwide, fixing all homes would have cost $149.3 billion last year, with almost 40% of those costs concentrated among lower-income households, according to the Philadelphia Fed. Households that can’t afford to maintain their homes or fix small problems are often faced later with impossibly expensive issues that could cost them their homes. They risk homelessness and the loss of wealth they could have passed to future generations. Abandoned homes can mean blight for the neighborhood. Read more here.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer; 3/14/2023

EPA to limit toxic ‘forever chemicals’ in drinking water
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing the first federal limits for harmful “forever chemicals” in drinking water. The plan would limit toxic PFAS chemicals to the lowest level that tests can detect. PFAS, or per- and polyfluorinated substances, are a group of compounds that are widespread, dangerous and expensive to remove from water. They don’t degrade in the environment and are linked to a broad range of health issues, including low birthweight and kidney cancer. The agency estimates the rule could reduce PFAS exposure for nearly 100 million Americans, decreasing rates of cancer, heart attacks and birth complications. The proposal would set strict limits of 4 parts per trillion, the lowest level that can be reliably measured, for two common types of PFAS compounds called PFOA and PFOS. In addition, the EPA wants to regulate the combined amount of four other types of PFAS. Water providers will have to monitor for PFAS. The public will have a chance to comment, and the agency can make changes before issuing a final rule, expected by the end of the year. Many communities will need to balance the new PFAS requirements with removing poisonous lead pipes and replacing old water mains prone to rupturing. Radhika Fox, assistant EPA administrator for water, said there “isn’t a one-size answer” to how communities will prioritize their needs, but added that billions of dollars in federal resources are available for water improvements.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer; 3/14/2023

Pennsylvania has 4th-highest tax rates in nation
Pennsylvanians have some of the highest tax rates in the country. WalletHub published a study that sought to identify which states had the highest and lowest tax rates by grading each across four main types of taxation: real-estate tax, vehicle property tax, income tax, and sales and excise tax. WalletHub’s final list ranked Pennsylvania in the 48^th overall spot out of 51 — including Washington D.C. — meaning the Keystone State was No. 4 with regard to having the largest tax rates around. Pennsylvania also ranked third overall for having the highest gas taxes per gallon. Check out the WalletHub study here.
Source: Daily Times; 3/13/2023

Outdoor recreation boom contributes to state’s economy
Pennsylvania’s outdoor recreation industry has grown by 17% over the past 10 years. The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) recently announced statistics showing the sector was responsible for 1.6% of the state’s total economic productivity and 2.5% of its share of workers in 2021. DCNR reports that the outdoor manufacturing sector has grown by 25% and the state’s GDP from the sale of outdoor equipment rose by 52%. On the tourism side, visitors to recreation areas contributed $5.3 billion to the state’s GDP by frequenting restaurants, lodging establishments and other local businesses. In January 2022, Nathan Reigner became the state’s first director of outdoor recreation. The Recreation Engagement Coalition — made up of approximately 50 members representing state agencies and organizations, plus local groups with influence and expertise in the outdoor sector — will focus on the potential for job growth and investment in the industry. The group’s upcoming plans include co-hosting a series of nine stakeholder meetings across the commonwealth in April.
Source: The Center Square; 3/11/2023

Bristol Township blight program is improving neighborhoods, one house at a time
In 2015, Bristol Township identified more than 200 vacant homes within its borders. The township contacted the Bucks County Redevelopment Authority to develop a plan of action to address the high number of vacancies, with a focus on properties that were adversely impacting neighborhoods. Since then, the redevelopment authority has renovated and restored roughly 150 blighted properties identified by the township. On top of increasing property values and eliminating eyesores, the blight abatement program has generated revenue for Bristol Township, said redevelopment authority executive director Jeff Darwak. The 35 condemned houses processed through the blight abatement program have brought a total of more than $498,000 through collected delinquent taxes and liens, transfer fees and permit fees. In terms of annual revenue, the program generates $144,000 in real estate taxes and a further $27,000 in earned income taxes, for an annual revenue total of $171,000, with an additional $117,000 benefitting the Bristol Township School District. Read more here.
Source: Bucks County Courier Times; 3/14/2023

Upcoming webinar: Use and Occupancy Tips for Bucks County Realtors
Suburban Realtors Alliance and the Bucks County Association of Realtors will hold a webinar on use and occupancy (U&O) issues. The webinar, "Use and Occupancy Tips for Bucks County Realtors," will be held Wednesday, March 29, at 1 p.m. on Zoom. It will offer a quick refresher and overview of how the Alliance — which is a member benefit for all BCAR members — can help Realtors before and during the municipal use and occupancy process. It will cover known trouble spots in Bucks County and tips for working with municipalities. The webinar will be hosted by SRA president/CEO Jamie Ridge and board chairperson Maryellen O'Brien. Read more and register on the BCAR website.

Newtown Township seeks public input on single-use plastic ordinance
Newtown Township has scheduled a special meeting on Monday, April 3, at 7 p.m. to gather public input on whether the township should regulate single-use plastics. Single-use plastics are items used once before being disposed of. The Newtown Environmental Advisory Council will discuss a sample ordinance and host a question-and-answer session with business owners. A PennEnvironment representative is also scheduled to attend. The township supervisors passed a resolution a year ago that encourages residents to voluntarily reduce single-use plastic usage.
Source: The Advance of Bucks County; 3/13/2023

Rushland residents express concern about future of village
Rushland Village is an unincorporated community in Wrightstown Township with a history that predates the Revolutionary War. A community group called SaveRushland is dedicated to preserving and improving the quality of life. Group member Gail Atkinson Acosta recently spoke at a Wrightstown Township supervisors meeting, telling them that Rushland residents are interested in partnering with the township on initiatives that could include beautification projects, historical restoration and overall village improvement efforts, including potential restoration of the old train station. Acosta also expressed concern over the resumption of blasting activity at the JDM Rush Valley Quarry, asking township officials to coordinate communication with the quarry operators for notification to residents prior to blasting.
Source: Bucks County Herald; 3/8/2023

TMA Bucks launches Share-A-Ride site
TMA Bucks has launched a Share-A-Ride service, which is a free, computerized program offered by the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission that can match commuters who live in Bucks County and work in southeastern Pennsylvania with others who want to carpool or vanpool. TMA Bucks hopes it can be a resource where Bucks County businesses and their employees can discover sustainable travel options. The site also includes a trip planner to find rides for a daily commute, hybrid office, appointment or even a special event. The trip planner will also show public transit, biking and other options, if available.
Source: Bucks County Herald; 3/7/2023

State Rep. Munroe to hold district office open house
New state Rep. Brian Munroe (D-144) has announced an open house to mark the official opening of his district office in Warminster. The open house will be held on Saturday, March 25, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The office is located at 1410A W. Street Road in Warminster. The public is invited to tour the office, enjoy refreshments, and meet Munroe and his district staff, who are available to help residents with a variety of state-related services. The 144th Legislative District serves Warminster, Ivyland, Warrington and New Britain. Munroe’s committee assignments for the 2023-2024 legislative session include consumer protection, insurance, local government and veterans affairs.
Source: Warminster Patch; 3/13/2023

Chester, Berks counties receive millions for housing programs
Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D, PA-6) announced Berks and Chester counties are receiving $2.37 million and $2.5 million, respectively, from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The funding will be used for affordable housing, community development and homeless assistance. Additionally, Neighborhood Housing Services of Greater Berks is receiving $990,000 in federal funding. “This federal assistance is incredible for our community institutions to increase access to more affordable housing, bolster community development, and assist homeless individuals,” said Houlahan. Read the full press release here.
Source: U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan; 3/8/2023

Oxford Borough officials discuss Active Transportation Plan
The official kick-off meeting for the Oxford Borough Active Transportation Plan (ATP) was held on March 6. The ATP is a supplement to Oxford’s soon-to-be completed comprehensive plan. The two documents will shape policy and identify strategies for implementing infrastructure improvements to enhance sidewalk and trail connectivity, ADA accessibility, public transportation and the borough’s overall multimodal transportation network. The borough will work with McMahon, a transportation engineering, planning and design firm, to assess existing conditions in the borough and identify ways to improve their multimodal infrastructure. The project is funded in large part by a $25,000 WalkWorks grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Health and the Pennsylvania Downtown Center. McMahon will help the borough identify projects and policies that will improve the infrastructure and make walking, biking and wheeling through the borough safer and more convenient. The borough will also identify where public transportation services are needed most and how they can work with their regional partners to improve access to public and shared transportation services.
Source: Chester County Press; 3/14/2023

Company to expand internet access in rural Chester County
The telecommunications company Kinetic by Windstream announced nearly 2,200 homes, businesses and schools in the region are now eligible to get high-speed fiber broadband internet service — including 750 customers in Chester County. Kinetic’s broadband expansion in the Morgantown region is part of the company’s southeastern Pennsylvania fiber project, which is part of the company’s large effort to expand service to rural areas. Kinetic is undertaking a $2 billion, multiyear capital investment strategy to expand the gigabyte service across the 18 states it serves. Local customers who want to find out if they’re eligible for the new broadband service can visit the company website.
Source: Daily Local; 3/9/2023

Kennett Square residents protest plan to sell borough-owned parking lot
Citizen comments concerning a proposed sale of the Church Alley parking lot dominated the first hour of Kennett Square Borough Council’s March 8 meeting. Many of the comments centered on the council’s announced intention to vote on selling the property at 108 Church Alley to the prospective buyers of the current Kennett Library. The Church Alley lot is adjacent to the soon-to-be-abandoned library, the Post Office, the former borough building and the American Legion. A positive vote by the council would enable the borough to put the lot up for sale, particularly to the potential buyers of the present library building. The residents expressing concern over the proposal convinced the council to remove the vote from the evening’s agenda.
Source: Chester County Press; 3/14/2023

Chesco commissioners award $6.35 million in grants for preservation of Crebilly Farm
Chester County commissioners approved a grant of $4.2 million to Westtown Township for the preservation of Crebilly Farm. The funding adds to a $2.15 million Preservation Partnership Grant that the commissioners awarded to regional conservation nonprofit Natural Lands in February, bringing a total county contribution for saving Crebilly Farm to $6.35 million. “Helping to preserve Chester County land for future generations is one of the most important actions we can take as county leaders,” said Commissioners’ Chair Marian Moskowitz. Crebilly Farm is one of the largest remaining unprotected properties in the county. The conservation plan for Crebilly combines publicly accessible open space and privately owned preserved land. Crebilly’s owners’ first agreement of sale for 208 acres is to Westtown Township, which will allow the township to develop a passive-use park.
Source: Chester County; 3/1/2023