Pennsylvanians have mixed views on AI data centers, per new survey
Data center opponents outnumber supporters in Southeast Pennsylvania, according to a recent survey from Real Clear Politics and Emerson College. Overall, however, the poll found that Pennsylvanians have mixed opinions on artificial intelligence and the data centers that power AI tools. Several data centers have recently been proposed in the Philadelphia area, and some of them have been met with neighborhood pushback. Amazon is building a 2-million-square-foot data center in Falls Township, Bucks County. A 1.3-million-square-foot data center is proposed at the former Pennhurst State School and Hospital in East Vincent Township, Chester County. And near Conshohocken, plans for a 2-million-square-foot data center had to be withdrawn over legal issues, but may be resubmitted. According to the new survey, 38% of all Pennsylvanians support data centers being built in the commonwealth, while 35% oppose, and 27% are neutral or have no opinion. But when asked about data centers being built in their area, residents’ opposition grows: 34% support, 42% oppose, and 24% are neutral or have no opinion. In Southeastern Pennsylvania, 45% of respondents strongly or somewhat oppose data centers.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer; 12/15/2025

New task force will study flood insurance affordability
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro has signed House Bill 735, creating a Flood Insurance Premium Assistance Task Force to study ways to make flood insurance more affordable and accessible, a move prompted by the deadly July 2023 flash floods in Bucks County that killed seven people. Sponsored by state Rep. Perry Warren (D-31), the bipartisan measure directs the task force to recommend policies like premium discount programs, incentives for local flood-mitigation efforts, potential changes to state law or policy regarding the administration of flood insurance, and strategies to increase participation in both the federal and private flood insurance markets. The action comes as revised FEMA flood maps require more properties to carry flood insurance, driving up premiums and leaving many homeowners struggling to pay. Standard homeowners’ or renters’ policies do not cover damages resulting from a flood.
Source: The Reporter; 12/14/2025

Independent voters sue to end closed primaries in PA
A group of five independent voters, including political commentator Michael Smerconish and Ballot PA Action chairman David Thornburgh, has filed a lawsuit in Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court challenging the state’s closed primary system, which bars unaffiliated voters from participating in partisan primaries. The suit argues that Section 2812 of the Election Code violates the state Constitution’s Free and Equal Elections Clause by denying independent voters an equally weighted vote and diluting their electoral influence. Citing expert analysis of Pennsylvania elections from 2002 to 2020, the petitioners contend that Democratic and Republican voters effectively wield nearly twice the influence of independents because they can vote in both primaries and general elections. The case follows the state Supreme Court’s rejection of an earlier request to take the matter directly, and comes as legislative efforts to open primaries have repeatedly stalled despite more than 1.4 million Pennsylvanians being registered as unaffiliated or minor-party voters.
Source: Pennsylvania Capital-Star; 12/15/2025

Commuting in Philly takes longer than in most big cities
Philadelphia commuters spent an average of 33.2 minutes traveling to work in 2024, a 2.1-minute increase from the previous year and longer than in most major U.S. cities, according to a new report from Yardi Kube, a company that makes software for managing coworking spaces. The city’s rising commute times reflect a national uptick as more employers call workers back to the office, though Philadelphia’s average remains below its 2019 level. The increase comes amid significant transit challenges, including SEPTA’s threatened service cuts, a court-ordered restoration of service, inspections of aging Regional Rail cars after multiple fires, and a narrowly avoided worker strike.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer; 12/12/2025

SRA holiday schedule
The Suburban Realtors Alliance will close at noon on Wednesday, Dec. 24, and will remain closed through Friday, Dec. 26, with normal business hours resuming at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 29. The office will also close at noon on Wednesday, Dec. 31, and remain closed through Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, reopening at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026. The municipal database is always available online. 

Telford adopts rental inspection program, approves tax increase
Telford Borough Council approved a new rental inspection program effective Jan. 1, 2026, requiring biannual inspections and annual rental license registrations. The program is designed to address issues like broken HVAC systems and damaged windows, with inspections requiring the presence of either the tenant or property owner. Exemptions include owner-occupied units, rentals to immediate family and institutional housing. While one council member opposed the ordinance citing Fourth Amendment concerns, supporters emphasized the importance of ensuring adequate property maintenance. It is estimated the borough has approximately 300 rental units housing 800 renters. Separately, the council adopted a 2026 budget with a 3.1% property tax increase, projected to raise the tax rate by an additional $30 annually for the average homeowner with an assessed property value of $120,000.
Source: The Reporter; 12/12/2025

Bucks County commissioners approve 8% property tax increase
Bucks County commissioners voted 2-1 to adopt a roughly $517 million budget for 2026 that includes a 2.2-mill property tax increase. The 8% millage rate increase — from the current 27.45 to 29.65 mills — will close an operational budget deficit of more than $16 million, while adding an extra $72 annually for an average property owner’s tax bill. Officials have cited rising costs for salaries, union contracts, supplies, services, inflation and tariffs as drivers of a recurring structural deficit.
Source: Newtown PA Now; 12/15/2025

Warrington approves 32-townhome project
Warrington Township officials have unanimously approved plans to build 32 townhomes on a 4.5-acre site at Easton Road and Georges Lane, ending years of development review for the project. The property will include four townhome sections and about 8,500 square feet of open space. The developer also floated plans for a small retail property across Easton Road. The approval places Warrington among several Bucks County municipalities that have recently moved forward with townhome developments, including a 23-townhome project in Doylestown Township and a 34-townhome project in Levittown.
Source: Bucks County Courier Times; 12/11/2025

Taxes up in Newtown Township
In a 3-2 vote, Newtown Township supervisors approved a $16.8 million budget for 2026 that includes a 4-mill real estate tax increase, raising the average municipal tax bill by about $157 for a property with an average assessment of $39,000. The millage increase was to support expanded emergency services. The plan adds 3 mills to fund the transition from a volunteer to a fully paid fire department and 1 mill for emergency medical services, along with funding for additional firefighters, fire equipment and capital needs, and EMS upgrades. It also sets aside funding for the hiring of a full-time IT director and a part-time human resources director. Two supervisors opposed the budget, arguing spending cuts, such as delaying vehicle purchases, should have been considered instead of raising taxes.
Source: The Reporter; 12/14/2025

Taxes steady in Upper Makefield
Upper Makefield Township supervisors unanimously approved a 2026 budget that holds the real estate tax rate steady at 6.45 mills, meaning homeowners will see no municipal property tax increase next year. A property assessed at $70,000 will owe about $451. The earned income tax rate also remains unchanged at 0.5%. The $14.18 million overall budget — including the $9.17 million general fund that supports essential services, such as police, administration, zoning, legal services and public works — maintains current service levels with no major changes. Officials also noted the township will finish paying off its remaining debt this year and enter 2026 debt-free.
Source: Bucks County Herald; 12/7/2025 

Coatesville Area SD to close 2 elementary schools, open a new one
Coatesville Area School District is preparing to shutter two elementary schools — Caln and East Fallowfield — at the end of the school year, open a new one, and realign its attendance boundaries. The new Doe Run Elementary — which will open in August on the former South Brandywine Middle School site — will feed to Scott Middle School. The new boundary map, approved by the school board, splits the district into four geographic regions, intended to keep communities together while maintaining ethnic and socio-economic balance, according to the district’s presentation. The update, slated to take effect next school year, comes as the district has been rolling out a new facilities plan over the past several years, while its enrollment has declined and its budget has been squeezed by charter schools.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer; 12/12/2025

East Coventry planners reject data center ordinance change
The East Coventry Township Planning Commission voted 4-0 Thursday to recommend the rejection of a request by Constellation Energy to amend the zoning code to allow for a data center on Route 724. That recommendation will be forwarded to the board of supervisors, who could vote on it as soon as the February meeting, said Township Manager Eugene Briggs. According to Lawrence Tietjen, chairman of the planning commission, the township is under no obligation to change its zoning, because as a member of the Pottstown Metropolitan Regional Planning Commission, the township does not have to zone for every use. Since nearby Douglass Township already has zoning that allows data centers, the other seven municipalities in the compact — North Coventry, Pottstown, Lower Pottsgrove, Upper Pottsgrove, West Pottsgrove, East Coventry and New Hanover — are not required by law to zone for that use. It is possible that Constellation may fight that interpretation in court
Source: Daily Local; 12/12/2025

Kennett Square passes budget, approves sale of buildings
Kennett Square Borough Council unanimously passed a 2026 budget on Dec. 8 with a 3% increase in taxes, which will raise the tax bill about $77, from $2,576 to $2,653, for the average homeowner. The borough noted increased costs for public safety and lower property tax revenue, due largely to Genesis Healthcare’s departure, as two main drivers for the tax hike. The budget also increases the fee for use and occupancy residential inspections to $100 and residential rental inspections to $150. At the same meeting, borough council unanimously approved selling all available space at Borough Hall to Kennett Area Community Service, and two outbuildings to The HUB for Arts and Culture.
Source: Kennett Square Borough; 12/15/2025

Chester County 2020 offers course in zoning
Chester County 2020 is offering a course in zoning. The course begins with a review of the Municipalities Planning Code and presents “nuts and bolts” fundamentals for drafting zoning ordinances and amendments. All planning commissioners, elected officials, code officers, zoning hearing board members and interested members of the public are encouraged to attend. The cost is $160, and classes will be held from 6 to 9:30 p.m. on Thursdays, Jan. 15, 22 and 29. Learn more and register here.
Source: Chester County Planning; 12/2025