Dear Neighbor,
As we gather to celebrate Thanksgiving, I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to you and our entire community. This season reminds us of the importance of connection, compassion and the shared commitment to making our neighborhoods, towns, state and nation a better place for all.
Whether you're spending the holiday surrounded by family or friends, or both, I hope your day is filled with warmth, laughter and the joy of togetherness.
I also want to take a moment to greet both my longtime email subscribers as well as new ones, this week. I am state Representative Paul Friel, and I represent the communities of the 26th Legislative District here in Chester County.
My office recently switched to a new email program, and for those who have received our emails in the past, much of what you see will look familiar. For those new to our updates, welcome!
I bring my community experience to Harrisburg as your state Representative and am committed to working on some of the most pressing issues that our families face:
- Making sure that high quality public education is available to every child, regardless of where they live and preparing each student in our commonwealth for prosperous futures.
- Supporting innovative environmental policy that ensures clean air and water for future generations; promoting the development of strong and sustainable local economies and their energy and manufacturing sectors; and safeguarding open space, including the commonwealth’s integral farmland.
- Protecting democracy by upholding voter rights and advocating for reforms that will increase the transparency and efficacy of government.
I also send periodic emails to keep residents informed about local and state issues that impact our communities. If you would like to unsubscribe, please click here.
And as always, if you ever need assistance or have questions regarding state or local issues, please don't hesitate to reach out. You can contact my office by email at RepFriel@pahouse.net, call us at (610) 427-8782, or visit us at 68 Glocker Way, Pottstown, PA 19465.
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Countdown to Firearms Deer Season
The countdown is on for firearms deer season, which starts this Saturday, November 30.
As such, I wanted to share some quick reminders from the PA Game Commission to help hunters prepare for opening day.
- Sight in your rifle.
- Scout the areas you plan to hunt.
- Pack your bag with essentials (including those snacks).
- Review the weather report and plan accordingly.
- Refresh your memory on hunting regulations.
- Share your hunting plans.
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Did you know that hunting can also help fight hunger? If you don’t have room in your freezer from your filled tags, please consider donating to Hunters Sharing the Harvest. HSH has delivered nearly 2 million pounds of venison to those in need since 1991. An average deer provides 200 servings of high-protein, low-fat meat.
It’s FREE to donate! Hunters can participate by taking their deer to a participating processor. You can learn more about HSH by clicking here.
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Calling All Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge and Their Families and Friends
Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge, their families, friends and acquaintances are needed to respond to a survey, as we approach the battle’s 80th anniversary in December 2024.
Please consider participating in this survey to help commemorate the heroism and sacrifice of the 28th Infantry Division of the PA Army National Guard during the Battle.
The survey requests history and memories about the Battle. If you, a family member, or an acquaintance served during the Battle, please respond with details, locations, photos, and stories.
Thank you so much for helping to preserve this valued history in our Commonwealth!
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Governor Directs Federal Funding to SEPTA
Last week, Governor Josh Shapiro took executive action to ensure that those who rely on SEPTA can continue to access safe, reliable and affordable public transit.
To address a funding gap at SEPTA, Shapiro directed PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll to redirect $153 million in federal funds to SEPTA. This move will prevent service cuts and a planned 21 percent fare hike, maintaining operations for 800,000 daily riders in southeastern Pennsylvania through at least July 2025.
This only provides critical short-term relief, however, so we need to focus on securing a long-term funding solution through the state budget or a stand-alone piece of legislation. This shift uses federal dollars allocated for projects not yet under construction, ensuring that there is no disruption to ongoing infrastructure projects.
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Apprenticeships Available Statewide
Apprenticeships can bridge the gap between the skills that people gain on the job and the technical expertise they need for certain occupations.
In Pennsylvania, there are more than 1,550 registered apprenticeship programs in diverse fields, including information technology, health care, advanced manufacturing, agriculture, and the building trades. These opportunities are key to addressing workforce shortages and empowering veterans.
I encourage everyone in our community to explore these programs:
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Claim Your Child’s $100 today!
Pennsylvania families with young children are encouraged to claim their free $100 Keystone Scholars accounts to start saving for their child’s future education.
Every child born on or after Jan. 1, 2019, to a Pennsylvania family (and those subsequently adopted) automatically has a free $100 investment to jumpstart their education savings. You can claim your child’s Keystone Scholars account by visiting www.pa529.com/keystone.
In addition to Keystone Scholars, PA 529 offers two tax-advantaged, flexible college and career savings plans. The more you save today means your student will need to borrow less in the future.
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Pennsylvania State Capitol
123-A East Wing
Harrisburg, PA 17120
(717) 772-1411
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District Office
68 Glocker Way
Pottstown, PA 19465
(610) 427-8782
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