“We increased the income limits for the first time in 17 years and we are providing larger maximum rebates for those who qualify,” said Rep. Steve Samuelson, prime sponsor of the legislation which expanded the PTRR. Read more
“We have to make this change before the end of the year,” said state Rep. Steve Samuelson, who has long advocated for increasing the income thresholds. “After 15 years, it’s long overdue.” Read more
“There's the saying, 'Everything old is new again,' and that's exactly what is planned for the Bethlehem Steel's former general office building annex," Samuelson said. "This funding will support the redevelopment of the Steel Annex building, which is part of our region's history, and make it usable for new workers and businesses, enhancing the economic development of the South Side. This grant will be used for the project’s plaza. And since the funds will be part of a revolving loan fund, they can be used for future projects as well. Read more
As Americans, we cannot turn a blind eye to gun violence. We must address this crisis of gun violence that has destroyed so many innocent lives by comprehensively addressing the issue and enacting common sense gun safety measures. Read more
PA House Representative Steve Samuelson presented Anne with an official citation for her contributions to the community. Read more
"Now is the time for all of us, to raise your voices, to raise our voices," said PA State Rep. Steve Samuelson. Read more
“It was President Lincoln who said in the Gettysburg address that we should pay tribute and honor those who gave everything,” said Pennsylvania State Rep. Steve Samuelson of District 135. Read more
In addition to the co-op board, representatives from Peron Development and Boyle Construction were in attendance for the groundbreaking, along with Bethlehem mayor J. William Reynolds, several members of Bethlehem City Council, state Rep. Steve Samuelson (D-135) and U.S. Rep. Susan Wild (D-7). Read more
“By providing a one-time infusion of $204 million into the existing Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program, we could provide additional relief to people across the state. This investment would allow the commonwealth to double existing rebates this year which is expected to benefit an estimated 477,000 Pennsylvanians,” said Samuelson, Democratic chair of the House Aging and Older Adult Services Committee. Read more
HARRISBURG, April 22 – State Rep. Steve Samuelson said $1.25 million in redevelopment grants were awarded today by Gov. Tom Wolf for two projects in the city of Bethlehem. Read more
Here is my Winter 2022 newsletter. Read more
Governor Tom Wolf today was joined by state and local officials and older Pennsylvanians to celebrate recently signed legislation to expand eligibility in the Pharmaceutical Assistance Contract for the Elderly (PACE) and the Pharmaceutical Assistance Contract for the Elderly Needs Enhancement Tier (PACENET) programs. Read more
HARRISBURG, Dec. 22 – Income limits for the PACENET prescription drug program will be increased by $6,000 under a new law signed today by Gov. Tom Wolf and co-authored by state Rep. Steve Samuelson. “This bipartisan legislation expands access to prescription medications for our seniors by building upon the proven PACE/PACENET program and expanding eligibility,” said Samuelson, D-Northampton, who co-wrote H.B. 1260/Act 94 with Rep. Wendi Thomas, R-Bucks. The law will increase enrollment for the state’s Prescription Assistance Contract for the Elderly Needs Enhancement Tier, known as PACENET, by about 20,000 people and raises the income limits to $33,500 for a single person and $41,500 for a married couple. The new law provides financial incentives for PACENET enrollees to also sign up for federal Medicare Part D prescription coverage. Additional funds generated by increased participation in the federal prescription program will be used to pay for the increased PACENET enrollment. In 2018, Samuelson co-authored similar legislation with Rep. Frank Farry, R-Bucks, which raised PACENET income limits by $4,000. These higher income limits, which were signed into law in October 2018, represented the first expansion of PACENET eligibility in 15 years. The legislation signed today by the governor raises the PACENET income limits by another $6,000. The new income limits will take effect in 60 days. Read more
Pennie is Pennsylvanian's insurance marketplace and provides individuals and families with the ability to shop for high-quality health care plans and easily apply for financial assistance. Read more
HARRISBURG, Oct. 27 – Today the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed H.B.1260 , legislation co-authored by state Reps. Steve Samuelson, D-Northampton, and Wendi Thomas, R-Bucks, to raise income limits by $6,000 for the PACENET prescription program. The bill now heads to the state Senate for consideration. “This bipartisan legislation expands access to prescription medications for our seniors by building upon the proven PACE/PACENET program and expanding eligibility,” Samuelson said. The bill would increase enrollment for the state’s Prescription Assistance Contract for the Elderly Needs Enhancement Tier, known as PACENET, by about 20,000 individuals and raise the income limits to $33,500 for a single person and $41,500 for a married couple. House Bill 1260 would provide financial incentives for PACENET enrollees to also sign up for federal Medicare Part D prescription coverage. Additional funds generated by increased participation in the federal prescription program would be utilized to raise the PACENET income limits. In 2018, Samuelson co-authored legislation with Rep. Frank Farry, R-Bucks, which raised PACENET income limits by $4,000. These higher income limits, which were signed into law in October 2018, represented the first expansion of PACENET eligibility in 15 years. Attention Editors: Video of Rep. Samuelson's remarks from the House floor can be downloaded here. Read more
LIHEAP is a federally funded program administered by the Department of Human Services that provides assistance for home heating bills so Pennsylvanians can stay warm and safe during the winter months. Read more
HARRISBURG, Sept. 28 –Today the Pennsylvania House Aging and Older Adult Services Committee approved H.B.1260 , legislation co-authored by state Reps. Steve Samuelson, D-Northampton, and Wendi Thomas, R-Bucks, to raise income limits by $6,000 for the PACENET prescription program. The bill now awaits a full House vote. “This bipartisan legislation expands access to prescription medications for our seniors by building upon the proven PACE/PACENET program and expanding eligibility,” Samuelson said. The bill would increase enrollment for the state's Prescription Assistance Contract for the Elderly Needs Enhancement Tier, known as PACENET, by about 20,000 and raise income limits to $33,500 for a single person and $41,500 for a married couple. House Bill 1260 also would provide financial incentives for PACENET enrollees to also sign up for federal Medicare Part D prescription coverage. Monthly premiums for Medicare Part D, currently paid by the enrollees, would be covered by PACENET for Part D plans, which have premium agreements with the state. Additional funds generated by increased participation in the federal prescription program would be utilized to raise the PACENET income limits. In 2018, Samuelson co-authored legislation with Rep. Frank Farry, R-Bucks, which raised PACENET income limits by $4,000. These higher income limits, which were signed into law in October 2018, represented the first expansion of PACENET eligibility in 15 Read more
BETHLEHEM, Sept. 1 – Citing that only a small portion of overall education is run through the Fair Education Funding Formula, state Rep. Steve Samuelson held a virtual hearing to learn more from educators and advocates on how Pennsylvania can fulfill its constitutional obligation to provide for the maintenance and support of a thorough and efficient system of public education to serve the needs of the Commonwealth. “Adequate state funding can make education resources more equitable based on the way we choose to allocate money,” Samuelson said. “The Fair Funding Formula was approved in 2016 but has not yet been fully implemented. We made progress this year with $100 million in Level Up funding distributed to underfunded districts like the Bethlehem Area School District. We need to continue efforts to fully implement the Fair Funding Formula.” Sean Brandon, Budget Analyst for the House Appropriations Committee began his presentation noting the importance of that constitutional commitment and shared how the Fair Funding Formula and budget practices allocate funds to school districts across the state. Joseph Roy, Bethlehem Area School District Superintendent and Karen Beck-Pooley, Bethlehem Area School District Director, shared from a district-level perspective of how they use the state funds received, noting challenges with charter school reimbursements and rising special education costs. Communities of color are disproportionately Read more
Bethlehem, Aug. 31 – Pennsylvania regularly falls at the bottom nationally when it comes to adequately funding basic education and state Rep. Steve Samuelson is hosting a public hearing to discuss how the fair funding formula can help better serve students and the economy. The hearing will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 1 online at www.pahouse.com/policy . The public and media are welcome to tune in online. Media inquiries may be submitted to policy@pahouse.net . Samuelson, D-Northampton, will be joined by Policy Committee Chairman Ryan Bizzarro and members of the House Democratic Policy Committee, to further discuss how education investments ultimately result in economic returns to the state in the form of a more prepared workforce and productive citizens. Level Up funding from the current fiscal year will also be discussed. Read more
NORTHAMPTON, May 25 – State Rep. Steve Samuelson, D-Northampton, today announced the award of $312,567 in state funding for local EMS, law enforcement and recreation projects and $300,000 for blight remediation in the 135 th Legislative District. Samuelson said the following local projects are receiving state funding through grants approved by the Commonwealth Finance Authority at its meeting today: $300,000 – City of Bethlehem - The Bethlehem Redevelopment Authority was awarded Blight Remediation Program funds for three blight remediation projects located in the city. Funds will be used for renovations, demolition, environmental cleanup, permitting, acquisition, site preparation and administrative costs. $160,000 – City of Bethlehem to purchase maintenance equipment for the Bethlehem municipal golf course. The funding will pay for lawn maintenance and upkeep. $85,120 – Bethlehem Township – The Bethlehem Township Volunteer Fire Co. Emergency Medical Services to purchase a replacement AED defibrillator and stretcher. $67,447 – Bethlehem Township to purchase a 2020 F-150 Police Responder with K-9 upgrades and equipment for the Bethlehem Township Police Department. The Commonwealth Financing Authority was established in 2004 as an independent agency of the Department of Community and Economic Development and holds fiduciary responsibility over the funding of programs Read more
HARRISBURG, April 23 – State Rep. Steve Samuelson, D-Northampton, will be joined by nine House colleagues to discuss a package of House Rules Reform legislation for a virtual news conference at 11 a.m. Monday, April 26. The news conference will be live streamed at www.facebook.com/repsamuelson . House Democratic members participating in the news conference include state Rep. Samuelson, D-Northampton; state Reps. Joe Webster, D-Montgomery; Bob Freeman, D-Northampton; Tim Briggs, D-Montgomery; Kevin Boyle, D-Phila.; Jennifer O’Mara, D-Delaware; Mike Sturla, D-Lancaster; Elizabeth Fielder, D-Phila.; Pam DeLissio, D-Phila.; and Mike Zabel, D-Delaware. Members of the media can access the event at 11 a.m. Monday by clicking here. Read more
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