In my previous email, I mentioned that SEPTA had proposed a significant rate increase to help make up its funding deficit.  I am pleased to announce that the increase has greatly reduced thanks to an influx of funding from Gov. Josh Shapiro.

 Last week, the governor announced a critical measure to address SEPTA’s funding shortfall, caused by the expiration of federal pandemic relief funds. To help avoid immediate service cuts and a planned 21% fare increase, Gov. Shapiro has directed PennDOT to transfer $153 million in federal highway capital funds to SEPTA. This will enable SEPTA to maintain operations through at least July 2025 while keeping a fare increase to a minimum.

 The funding shift is a temporary solution, as it reallocates federal funds from projects that are still in the planning stages, without impacting ongoing infrastructure work across the state. While this action offers immediate relief, Gov. Shapiro emphasized that it is not a long-term fix, and efforts to secure a permanent solution for SEPTA and other transit agencies will continue.

 This move follows earlier bipartisan efforts by me and my colleagues in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, which passed legislation to increase funding for SEPTA three times in 2024 without raising taxes. Unfortunately, these proposals have not yet been acted upon by the state Senate.

 We will continue to monitor these developments and keep you updated on further actions regarding SEPTA funding.

Pennsylvania CareerLink Bucks County's Hiring Event will take place from 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 11 on the Workforce on Wheels in the Saint Thomas Aquinas Parish Parking Lot, 121 Belmont Ave., Croydon.

 To schedule an Interview, please contact Tom DeYoung at tdeyoung@buckscareerlink.org.

 Apply to job posting #20832537 on www.pacareerlink.pa.gov.

PennDOT announced that pavement crack sealing is scheduled for New Falls Road, resulting in temporary road closures. Motorists are advised of the following travel restrictions:

• Wednesday, Dec. 4, through Friday, Dec. 6 (noon – 6 a.m.): New Falls Road will be closed between Route 413 (Veterans Highway) and Newportville Road in Middletown and Bristol townships. During this closure, motorists will be directed to use Newportville Road, Ford Road, and Route 413 (Veterans Highway).
• Monday, Dec. 9, through Friday, Dec. 13 (noon – 6 a.m.): New Falls Road will be closed between Edgely Road and Tyburn Road in Bristol and Falls townships. Motorists are directed to use Edgely Road/Woodbourne Road, Trenton Road, and Tyburn Road.

Local access will be maintained. Motorists are advised to allow extra time for travel in the affected areas, as delays and backups are expected. All scheduled activities are weather-dependent.

 For real-time traffic conditions, visit www.511PA.com, a free service available 24/7 that provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, speed information, and access to over 1,000 traffic cameras.

Starting this week, 2025 Pennsylvania fishing licenses, permits, and gift vouchers are available for purchase through the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. Whether you're buying for yourself or as a gift, you can access these through the HuntFishPA portal, mobile app, or nearly 700 retail agents.

• Licenses are valid for up to 13 months, from Dec. 1, 2024 – Dec. 31, 2025
• Choose from annual, multi-year, or gift vouchers
• Auto-renew option available for convenience

In addition, you can purchase a limited-edition 2025 fishing license button featuring a classic keystone design—only 10,000 available.

With our first cold weather of the season, our friends at the Advocates for Homeless and Those in Need opened a Code Blue Shelter this week.

 Shelter Location: Shir Ami, 101 Richboro Road, Newtown

 Important Details:

• Guests should not arrive before 8:30 p.m.
• The shelter will close at 6:30 a.m. (due to daycare on the property).

For more information about the shelter, including bus stop locations, please click here.

 If you need a pick-up from the Morrisville Bus Stop, please call (215) 550-3868 x100 by 5 p.m. and leave a message with your name, phone number, and bus stop location.

 Bucks County Bucks County will call Code Blue whenever the temperature goes below 20 degrees, per its website.  

 Please share this information with anyone who may need assistance.

With Sunday’s energy supply price change for all Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission-regulated electric utilities, the PUC encourages consumers to explore tools to manage winter energy bills, including energy shopping, conservation tips, and assistance programs.

 Key Points for Consumers:

• Electric Bills have two components: generation/supply. charges and delivery/distribution charges. The supply charge is influenced by whether consumers shop for energy services, while delivery charges are set by the PUC.
• On Dec. 1, many utilities will adjust their Price to Compare (PTC). For example, PPL's PTC will increase by 7.3%, while Duquesne Light's will decrease by 8.4%.

Save in PA Tips:

• Consumers can shop for electricity through PAPowerSwitch.com, the PUC’s official shopping site, to compare supplier offers and manage costs.
• The Standard Offer Program (SOP) allows customers to receive a fixed-rate service from a competitive supplier at 7% below their utility’s current PTC.

Winter Energy Savings:

• Adjust your thermostat, service your furnace, and weatherproof your home to save energy.
• For assistance, struggling households should contact their utilities for help with bill balances and available programs.

Visit PAPowerSwitch.com for more details on shopping for energy and managing bills.

Earlier in November, I had the pleasure of having lunch at Truman High School’s E3 Café, where the entire staff is made up of the school’s life skills students. I had the most delicious Thanksgiving “Gobbler” sandwich, and the service was top-notch! It was such a great experience all around.

It was an honor to join state Sen. Steve Santarsiero and Bristol Borough Council Vice-President Betty Rodriguez in presenting a Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program check to Jay Collins, owner of Cornerstone BioComp Dental Lab in Bristol Borough. This grant will help Jay to expand the existing Wood Street site and create more high-quality jobs right here in Bristol.  We are excited to see the positive impact this will have on our community!

Medicare’s open enrollment period runs to Dec. 7, and Medicare-eligible Pennsylvanians can take advantage of the Pennsylvania Medicare Education and Decision Insight (Formerly APPRISE) program.

MEDI is a free program run by the Pennsylvania Department of Aging that helps older Pennsylvanians choose Medicare supplements based on their income and medical needs.

The Bucks County Area Agency on Aging’s Medi Counselors are available at our Green Lane office for appointments between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. every Tuesday. 

To set up an appointment, call Bucks County AAA at 267-880-5700 and use prompt No. 5.

• SEPTA Key Senior ID Card photos and applications.
• Car registrations, special tags, disability placards, titles, and driver’s license applications.
• Information on financial assistance for higher education.
• Obtaining and completing state forms.
• Unemployment compensation.
• Troubleshooting issues or delays with Department of Human Services (food, medical and income assistance).
• PA state income tax questions or problems.
• Complaints or issues with insurance companies.
• Renewal of state-issued licenses or certifications.
• Property Tax/Rent Rebate forms for qualifying seniors, widows and widowers, and people with disabilities.
• PACE prescription cards for seniors. 
• Liquor Control Board concerns and questions.
• Citations honoring local people for outstanding accomplishments or family milestones.
• Information about any state or local government agency.
• Answers to questions about the Veterans Property Tax Exemption.
• Information about our local communities.

 Call my office at (267) 580-2660 or email me for help.

Sincerely,
 
Rep. Tina Davis
141st Legislative District

Office: RepDavis@pahouse.net
Office: (267) 580-2660

Proudly serving Bucks County, including  Bristol Township and Bristol Borough.