Veterans Breakfast a success; Keeping public education excellent in PA

Rep. Paul Friel April 11, 2025 | 2:22 PM

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Dear Neighbor,

First, thank you to all the veterans who made it out to my Veterans Breakfast!

The conversations we had were impactful. I hear the concerns with what is happening at the VA with federal cuts, and as I said in my remarks, my office is here to help you and to fight for you.

I am also very appreciative of U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan and state Rep. Joe Webster, who are both veterans themselves, for participating in the breakfast and sharing their insights. Finally, thank you to the Phoenixville Country Club team for serving our group. You did a wonderful job with breakfast!

Meanwhile in the PA House, where we held session this week, I worked on advancing legislation, including a bipartisan bill that would hold health insurance companies accountable if they systematically fail to reimburse Pennsylvanians receiving medically necessary care.

The legislation (H.B. 966) would require health insurers to issue a public report on the frequency of rejected claims that are overturned on appeal and pay escalating fines if more than 50% of their claim denials are overturned on appeal.

Read more about the bill here.

I also worked on introducing several pieces of education legislation that I feel are critical to providing an excellent public education in Pennsylvania.

I circulated legislation that would, upon removal of federal requirements for PSSAs, allow schools to administer locally selected benchmark assessments rather than a standardized summative assessment delivered at the end of the year, to students in grades 3-8. I am also introducing legislation to update and streamline administrative requirements and collect necessary data to modernize our student transportation laws.

Regarding charter reform, I introduced a bill to ensure that taxes collected to fund public education are in fact used for public education. My bill, which is a complement to other essential cyber charter funding legislation, proposes important reforms as it relates to excessive fund balance:

Allow taxpayers and school districts to claw back excess funding.
Provide definitions and clarity as it relates to allowable expenses and calculation of fund balances for cyber charter schools.

And finally, I am proposing a resolution to study whether it is feasible and beneficial to pool property tax revenue at the intermediate unit level and distribute to school districts based on the number of students they serve. One of the primary drivers of our education funding disparities is our heavy reliance on local property tax revenue to fund public schools. This hyper-localized funding approach has meant that a low-wealth school district can have a very high local tax rate and struggle to raise adequate funds, while a high-wealth school district can have a relatively low local tax rate and still raise ample funds. A study would shed more light on the predicament and could lead Pennsylvania to new solutions to the problems with property taxes.

You can follow all of my legislation here.

In House floor action, I’m proud to report that we voted to step up and give retired public servants a needed cost of living adjustment. They taught our kids. They served our community. They risked their lives to protect ours.

Now the ball is in the state Senate's court to ensure we do right by these civic servants.

Sincerely,

USDA cuts affect vulnerable families in Chester County

On March 28, the Chester County Food Bank shared troubling news: the USDA canceled $250,000 worth of critical food orders for the quarter beginning April 1, 2025. These cancellations affect core staples such as proteins, eggs, and dairy – items essential to supporting families in need. If this pattern continues, the Food Bank could see up to $1 million in lost food orders over the next year, severely impacting its capacity to meet rising food insecurity in our region.

Compounding the issue, the USDA also rescinded $145,000 in Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA) funding previously earmarked for sourcing products from local farmers. Despite these significant setbacks, the Food Bank remains resolute in its mission to nourish and support our community.

In response, 10 of us state legislators representing Chester County signed a joint letter to U.S. Sens. Dave McCormick and John Fetterman, as well as Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan, urging them to advocate for the restoration of these vital food programs. We urge everyone to keep the momentum going – reach out to your federal representatives and demand the reinstatement of these essential resources.

Read our letter on Facebook, and watch this video for more information.

My next Town Hall is May 1

You’re invited to my Town Hall meeting from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 1. I will discuss legislative updates, services provided by my office and answer your questions.

If you have a question you’d like to submit beforehand, email RepFriel@pahouse.net and use the subject line, “Town Hall Question.”

PA Department of Revenue extends customer service call center hours to assist late-season tax filers

As the April 15, 2025, deadline to file 2024 Pennsylvania personal income tax returns approaches, the PA Department of Revenue is extending its call center hours to assist late-season filers. Taxpayers can call 717-787-8201 during the extended hours:

April 8–11: 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.
April 12 (Saturday): 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
April 14–15: 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Additional support is available through:

The Online Customer Service Center at revenue.pa.gov/help.
Revenue District offices (appointment encouraged), open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Refund status checks via the “Where’s My Income Tax Refund?” tool or 1-888-PATAXES.

Free filing options:

myPATH: file state taxes online without creating an account.
Direct File: new this season, lets eligible taxpayers file both federal and state returns in one place.

Available tax credits:

Child and Dependent Care Enhancement Credit
Tax Forgiveness (Special Poverty) for retired and low-income individuals

Anyone earning more than $33 in taxable income in 2024 must file a return by midnight, April 15, 2025.

LIHEAP energy assistance application deadline extended to April 18

Pennsylvania has extended the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) application deadline to April 18. LIHEAP provides cash and crisis grants to help low-income households, older adults, and people with disabilities afford home heating costs. Despite federal staffing cuts, this season's LIHEAP program remains unchanged, and eligible residents struggling with heating bills are urged to apply before the new deadline.

LIHEAP offers cash grants ranging from $200 to $1,000 and crisis grants between $25 and $1,000 for those facing heating emergencies. Eligibility is based on income, with households earning up to 150% of the Federal Poverty Limit qualifying. Applications can be submitted online, by phone, or at local assistance offices. More information is available on DHS' website or by contacting my district office.

Are you ready for REAL ID enforcement?

Beginning May 7, Pennsylvanians will need a REAL ID, or a valid passport or military ID, to board a domestic flight or enter a federal building.

For more information, visit PA.gov/REALID. To find dates and locations for PennDOT REAL ID hours in our region, visit here.

House Scholarship Program open until April 15

The PA House of Representatives Scholarship Program is still accepting applications! If you're a graduating high school senior in Pennsylvania, this is your chance to secure a four-year scholarship to support your college journey! The application period is open until April 15.

Each year, The Foundation for Enhancing Communities awards two incredible scholarships that cover one semester of tuition at the State System of Higher Education for four years! All you need to do is meet the eligibility requirements, and you'll be set for continued support throughout your college years.

For more info and to apply: https://www.tfec.org/scholarships/pahr/.