Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program deadline is Dec. 31
Gov. Tom Wolf reminded Pennsylvanians who qualify for the Property Tax/Rent Rebate (PTRR) Program to apply by Dec. 31, to receive their annual rebate plus a one-time bonus rebate. Older Pennsylvanians ?and Pennsylvanians with disabilities who qualify for a rebate on rent or property taxes paid in 2021 will receive more money than usual this year. On top of the annual rebate, recipients will also receive a one-time bonus rebate equal to 70% of their original rebate amount. Income limits apply. Pennsylvanians can also visit the MyPath website or file a paper application before the end of the year. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue, the maximum standard rebate is $650. But with supplemental rebates available to qualifying homeowners, they can boost that amount up to $975. Click here for more details.
Source: Times Leader; 10/31/2022

Homeowners face foreclosures on old mortgages
There is a wave of homeowners who say they were blindsided by the start of foreclosure actions on their homes over second loans that were taken out more than a decade ago. The trusts and mortgage loan servicers behind the actions say the loans were defaulted on years ago. Some of the homeowners say they weren’t even aware they had a second mortgage because of confusing loan structures. Others believed their second loans were rolled in with their first mortgage payments or forgiven. Typically, they say they had not received statements on their second loans for years as they paid down their first mortgages. The homeowners are facing what critics call “zombie debt” — old loans with new collection actions. While no federal government agency tracks the number of foreclosure actions on second mortgages, attorneys aiding homeowners say they have surged in recent years. The attorneys say many of the loans are owned by purchasers of troubled mortgages and are being pursued now because home values have increased and there’s more equity in them.
Source: Daily Times; 11/21/2022

Medical debt an issue for Pennsylvanians
In Pennsylvania, 10.42% of the population carry medical debt, according to federal data, with an average debt of $1,473 per person. Local governments in other states are using American Rescue Plan Act money to relieve residents struggling with medical debt by partnering with an organization that buys debt and wipes the slate clean for debtors. Read more here.
Source: Penn Capital-Star; 11/19/2022 & Daily Times; 11/22/2022

PA’s unemployment rate hits new record low
The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry reported that the unemployment rate for the state was down one-tenth of a percentage from Sept. to 4% in October. The unemployment rate was 1.6 percentage points lower than the October 2021 level. The state’s civilian labor force, which is the estimated number of residents working or looking for work, was up 2,000 over September. The employment count rose 8,000 to 6.19 million while resident unemployment declined 6,000 to 258,000. The largest employment gain was in the leisure and hospitality sector, while the trade, transportation and utilities sector increased to a record high level, according to state data.
Source: LevittownNow.com; 11/21/2022

PA House flips to Democrats, Republicans keep Senate majority
Democrats have won control of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, but the party will need to rely on Republican support in the early months of 2023 as they choose a speaker to preside over the chamber. The party won 102 seats during the Nov. 8 midterm election, giving them control of the 203-member chamber for the first time in more than a decade. But when the new session begins on Jan. 3, they’ll be missing at least one member — State Rep. Tony DeLuca (D-32), who died but still won reelection. Two other Democrats are leaving for higher office early in the term — Rep. Summer Lee (D-34) is heading to Congress, and Rep. Austin Davis (D-35) will be sworn in as lieutenant governor on Jan. 17. The three affected districts will hold special elections between February and May, and all are considered safe Democratic seats. In the PA Senate, Republicans will retain a majority of 28-22, with no seats changing party hands on Nov. 8.
Source: Spotlight PA; 11/19/2022

Lower Makefield to consider fire safety registration for businesses
Lower Makefield Township supervisors will consider an ordinance that will require all businesses operating to submit a fire safety registration and pay an appropriate fee. The Fire Safety Registration will be submitted to the office of the fire service director, and will contain such information as the occupant, business owner, emergency contact information and property information. The registration will be reviewed annually. The purpose of the ordinance is to safeguard life and property from fire and explosion hazards arising from the storage, handling and use of hazardous substances, materials and devices, and from conditions hazardous to life or property in the occupancy of buildings and premises. The proposed ordinance will be considered at a hearing on Wednesday, Dec. 7, at 7 p.m. Click here for more information.
Source: Lower Makefield Township; 11/2022

SEPTA’s ‘Bus Revolution’ draft network proposes changes to Bucks and Montco lines
SEPTA recently held a virtual community conversation seeking feedback in Bucks and Montgomery counties for proposed changes to bus service. The SEPTA Forward: Bus Revolution Draft Network is a draft bus network that is designed to be more reliable, easier to use, and more convenient for more riders. Proposed changes in Bucks County include the creation of microtransit zones, a new on-demand type of service that will function like Uber/Lyft for transit and take people to any point within a designated zone. The event is part of a series of area-based community conversations taking place this fall with each focusing on a different part of the region. For more information, visit SEPTA’s Bus Revolution website.
Source: Bucks County Courier Times; 11/19/2022

Doylestown preliminary budget includes a small tax increase for road improvement
Doylestown Borough’s 2023 preliminary budget calls for a half-mill increase in the road improvement fund property tax levy, restoring it to its 2020 level. The small increase will provide $57,600 in additional funds for road paving at a cost of $15 to the average borough property tax payer.  All other borough tax rates will remain the same as in 2022. The average homeowner will pay $554 in total borough real estate taxes in 2023. The borough’s real estate tax continues to be the smallest portion of a borough homeowner’s overall real estate tax bill, accounting for 10.69% of the total taxes paid. The budget message and full budgets can be found on the borough website.
Source: Doylestown Borough; 11/22/2022

‘Middletown Township Talks’ podcast celebrates first anniversary
Middletown’s podcast — Middletown Township Talks — recently celebrated its first anniversary and is growing in listeners each month, according to show organizers. The podcast gives residents the inside scoop about township events, projects and other community happenings through interviews with township supervisors and employees.
Source: The Reporter; 11/18/2022

Coatesville revitalization project gets $80,000 in state funding
The Coatesville 2^nd Century Alliance was awarded $80,000 in state funding to support Coatesville’s ongoing community revitalization. The funding comes through the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development’s Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP), which promotes community participation and collaboration among nonprofit, business and residential projects in distressed or low-income neighborhoods. “As work on the new Coatesville train station continues and more projects are on the horizon, investments like this help support and strengthen the city’s downtown business district,” said state Sen. Carolyn Committa (D-19) who, along with state Rep. Dan Williams (D-74) helped to secure the funding. In Coatesville, the funds will support the fifth year of the 2^nd Century Alliance’s downtown revitalization plan, focusing on the retention, celebration and promotion of the existing business base. Specifically, the alliance plans to utilize the funds to support:

• Façade improvements to enhance the existing building stock
• Downtown small business growth
• The “Made in Coatesville” Small Business Incubator, which aims to provide businesses with tools for growth, success and adding jobs to the community.

Source:  Daily Local; 11/17/2022

Chesco leaders name CWA board members
Chester County shored up its presence on the Chester Water Authority (CWA) by appointing one commissioner and reappointing two others who have supported stopping the Chester City-headquartered public water company from being taken over by Aqua/Essential Utilities. Leonard Rivera and Nicole Brandon were reappointed, and Erik Walschburger was appointed to fill the vacancy on the board created by the passing of Paul Andriole. Chester County commissioners and Delaware County Council members each get three seats on the board, and Chester City gets three. Chester County is an active litigant in the Pennsylvania Supreme Court fight to stop the acquisition of CWA by Aqua. The case is set for oral arguments on Wednesday, Nov. 30, at 9 a.m.
Source: Chester Spirit; 11/2/2022

Chester County officials outline economic milestones of the year
The Chester County Economic Development Council (CCEDC) showcased its milestones from the 2021-2022 fiscal year, noting “incredible growth despite economic uncertainty, inflation and the remnants of a global pandemic.” “Some hear the term ‘economic development’ and picture construction sites and loan closings” said Gary Smith, CCEDC president and CEO. “It’s really about serving people and preserving and enhancing the quality of life in our communities.” In the past year, the CCEDC introduced and has been carrying out its Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Strategic Plan. Financing business opportunities, supporting workforce development, promoting Chester County and the region, and supporting entrepreneurship and economic development have all been key areas of focus in the past year. A complete copy of CCEDC’s 2021-2022 annual report is available here.
Source: Daily Local; 11/22/2022

West Chester’s Gay Street to close for summer weekends
West Chester’s Borough Council has decided to close Gay Street for the Open Air Market on weekends next summer. Members of the council, residents and business owners had voiced differing opinions on whether the closure should run around-the-clock, and its start and ending dates. Council unanimously set Friday through Sunday street closures, from Matlack to Darlington streets, to run from May 5 to Oct. 29, 2023. The Open Air Market was originally designed to promote social distancing and give merchants and restaurants a boost during the pandemic. Even as the pandemic wanes, the market continues as a catalyst to bring shoppers and diners into the borough. The borough also gained more control after trading ownership with PennDOT of Chestnut Street for Gay Street. The borough now has the ability to more easily establish dates and times for the Gay Street closure and Open Air Market.
Source: Daily Local; 11/19/2022