Bipartisanship and Finding Common Ground to Help Pennsylvania’s Families

(Apr 05, 2024)

We are both first-term state representatives — Paul Friel, a Democrat serving Chester County, and Kristin Marcell, a Republican representing Bucks County. Despite being “across the aisle” from each other, we discovered early on that we share many goals. One of those goals is to cut through partisan roadblocks that get in the way of progress on meaningful legislation. Too often lawmakers get caught up in the “team sports” of politics, and when we need to score wins for “our side,” we lose focus on the job we were elected to do: improve the quality of life and opportunities for Pennsylvanians. We, however, are committed to staying in conversation with our colleagues from across the state – Democratic and Republican alike – and our goal is simple: identify areas of common ground where we can work together on solutions and make real improvements for the people we serve. Another mutual commitment we share is to enhance access to quality education. Having both served on a school board prior to our state house elections, we place high value on quality K-12 education and affordable college, career, and technical education. The affordability of higher education is a pressing issue statewide. For many, loan repayments are higher than monthly grocery bills, with the average college graduate under 40 paying more than $400 monthly toward student debt. In Pennsylvania, graduates face the third highest student loan Read more

 

Legislation would expand 529 TAP Tax Credit

(Mar 27, 2024)

Under the bill, an incentive would created that would remove barriers to educational accessibility and affordability. Employers would have the ability to contribute to employees’ 529 college savings accounts. Read more

 

Bi-partisan Friel bill passes House unanimously; Bill would encourage employers to contribute to their employees’ college savings for tax break

(Mar 22, 2024)

House Bill 1745 would amend the state tax code to add the 529 Tuition Account Program (TAP) Tax Credit, allowing for employer contributions to PA 529 College and Career Savings Program accounts. Friel and Marcell said their proposal aims to incentivize Pennsylvania employers to help employees save for future education expenses. Read more

 

Pa. House Unanimously Passes Bill to Boost Education Savings Through Employer Contributions

(Mar 22, 2024)

The PA 529 plan, a cornerstone of the Commonwealth’s efforts to facilitate higher education savings, enables families to save for college and career expenses in a tax-advantaged way. The introduction of the 529 Tuition Account Program (TAP) Tax Credit aims to expand this opportunity by leveraging employer support, thereby easing the financial burden on families striving to afford post-secondary education for their children. Read more

 

Bill to offset student debt through tax credit passes Pennsylvania House

(Mar 21, 2024)

To offset the burden of student debt, employers in Pennsylvania could get a tax credit if they make contributions to their employees’ tuition savings account, under Rep. Friel's bill with Rep. Marcell that passed the House on Wednesday. Read more

 

Friel applauds unanimous House passage of his bipartisan legislation encouraging employer contributions to PA 529 tuition savings accounts

(Mar 20, 2024)

State Rep. Paul Friel, D-Chester, announced today that his bipartisan legislation crafted with Rep. Kristin Marcell, R-Bucks, to encourage Pennsylvania employers to contribute to employees’ PA 529 tuition savings accounts has passed the House of Representatives unanimously. Read more

 

Democrats talk raising the minimum wage at hearing in Philadelphia

(Mar 07, 2024)

State Rep. Paul Friel (D-Chester) said Jones provides a great counterargument to Republicans who claim those making near the minimum wage are just teenagers working a side job after high school. Friel said there’s also an economic argument. Read more

 

State fire, EMS grants announced in three House districts

(Feb 22, 2024)

“We are happy to support our local fire and EMS providers and excited to see the grants and funding recently announced throughout the 26th district,” Friel said in a statement issued by his office. “Our first responders cannot rely solely on local donations and fundraising, it is critical that we build permanent funding supports for fire EMS into our state budget process to ensure the public safety.” Read more

 

ASK YOUR QUESTION HERE! Friel to host Legislative Town Hall Feb. 29

(Feb 22, 2024)

State Rep. Paul Friel, D-Chester, announced he will host a Legislative Town Hall on Feb. 29, 2024 to discuss legislative updates, constituent services offered by his office, and answer residents’ questions. Read more

 

State Rep. Paul Friel Endorses Governor Shapiro’s Bold Budget Plan

(Feb 08, 2024)

In a statement issued following the governor’s budget address on February 6, Friel lauded the budget for addressing funding inequities in education and reducing the burden on school districts to hike local property taxes. Read more

 

Friel encouraged by governor’s 2024-25 state budget proposal

(Feb 07, 2024)

This is a fundamentally sound budget proposal from Governor Shapiro. It represents a significant investment in public education for Pennsylvania’s students by addressing the current funding inequities, and would reduce the pressure on school districts to raise local property taxes. Read more

 

REVIEW: Legislative Update: Safeguarding Our Land and Water

(Feb 02, 2024)

As you may know, I’ve been working with the Pennsylvania departments of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, as well as local and industry stakeholders, to address the issue of food processing residue being used on local farmlands. While many of us use food scrap compost to help fertilize our gardens, there has been a good deal of legitimate concern about safety issues of the residue used as fertilizer from mass produced, commercial food processing. Read more

 

Grant Memo: Cultural, Educational, Environmental, Public Safety, and Redevelopment Opportunities For Your District

(Feb 02, 2024)

NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Conservation and Natural Resources: Community Conservation Partnerships Program Who May Apply: counties, municipalities, municipal agencies, nonprofit organizations, state heritage areas, prequalified land trusts, for-profit organizations (for some grant types). Use: Funds may be used for projects related to parks, recreation, and conservation, including, but not limited to, park and recreation rehabilitation and development, recreation and conservation planning, trail planning and construction, land acquisition and conservation, river access and conservation, community and riparian tree planting, and regional and statewide partnerships to better develop and manage resources. Funds: Funds for this program come from a mix of state and federal sources, including the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund, the Environmental Stewardship Fund, the Snowmobile Restricted Account, the All-Terrain Vehicle Restricted Account, and more. The 2023 funding round provided over $52 million in awards. Application Deadline: April 3, 2024 More information: DCNR Website Community and Economic Development: COVID-19 ARPA PA Multi-Purpose Community Facilities Program Who May Apply: Units of local government and community anchor institutions ( as defined in Act 96 of 2021 ). Use: Funding is to be used for community projects that construct, acquire, or improve facilities (shared office space, recreation centers, schools, libraries, etc.) Read more

 

Revamping Water Infrastructure: Chester County Receives Over $2M in Grants for Essential Projects

(Jan 25, 2024)

This influx of funding underscores the importance of maintaining and upgrading water infrastructure. Aging systems can lead to inefficiencies, higher operating costs, and even health risks. By proactively investing in these projects, Chester County is not only ensuring reliable service but also safeguarding public health. Read more

 

$2.2M In State Grants For Sewer Projects In Northern Chesco

(Jan 25, 2024)

“These projects are vital in protecting public health and our water supply, but they’re extremely costly for municipalities to afford on their own,” Friel said. “State investments into our community's infrastructure help our local officials and authorities secure our wellbeing for years to come.” Read more

 

Friel announces more than $2.2M in state grant funding for local infrastructure projects

(Jan 19, 2024)

Following advocacy from state Rep. Paul Friel, D-Chester, the Commonwealth Financing Authority recently awarded grants to help fund eight projects in the 26th District that concern local water supply systems, sewer systems, or stormwater management. Read more

 

300K State Grants Awarded To Chesco For Park And Sewage Upgrades

(Jan 19, 2024)

Projects will enhance the regional trail network, improve playground accessibility, help develop sewage plans, State. Rep. Paul Friel said. Read more

 

Chester County Bags $307,250 in State Grants for Outdoor Space Rehabilitation and Development

(Jan 17, 2024)

In a significant win for Chester County’s outdoor spaces, state Rep. Paul Friel, D-Chester, announced Tuesday that two local projects will receive state grants totaling $307,250. The funds, awarded by the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA), are earmarked for the development and rehabilitation of public parks and recreation areas. Read more

 

Friel announces more than $300K in state grant funding

(Jan 16, 2024)

Following advocacy from state Rep. Paul Friel, D-Chester, two projects in Chester County will receive state grants totaling $307,250 to help develop and rehabilitate outdoor spaces, he announced Tuesday. Read more

 

Pa. representative proposes bill to make school standardized tests online

(Jan 03, 2024)

In the proposal, Representative Paul Friel said the months-long lag between standardized tests being taken and the final assessment data being available means the usefulness of the results has “largely expired.” Friel said this wastes taxpayer dollars and the schools’ energy and time on a process that “fails to serve our students.” Read more

 

Bipartisanship and Finding Common Ground to Help Pennsylvania’s Families
Apr 05, 2024

Legislation would expand 529 TAP Tax Credit
Mar 27, 2024

Bi-partisan Friel bill passes House unanimously; Bill would encourage employers to contribute to their employees’ college savings for tax break
Mar 22, 2024

Pa. House Unanimously Passes Bill to Boost Education Savings Through Employer Contributions
Mar 22, 2024

Bill to offset student debt through tax credit passes Pennsylvania House
Mar 21, 2024

Friel applauds unanimous House passage of his bipartisan legislation encouraging employer contributions to PA 529 tuition savings accounts
Mar 20, 2024

Democrats talk raising the minimum wage at hearing in Philadelphia
Mar 07, 2024

State fire, EMS grants announced in three House districts
Feb 22, 2024

ASK YOUR QUESTION HERE! Friel to host Legislative Town Hall Feb. 29
Feb 22, 2024

State Rep. Paul Friel Endorses Governor Shapiro’s Bold Budget Plan
Feb 08, 2024

Friel encouraged by governor’s 2024-25 state budget proposal
Feb 07, 2024

REVIEW: Legislative Update: Safeguarding Our Land and Water
Feb 02, 2024

Grant Memo: Cultural, Educational, Environmental, Public Safety, and Redevelopment Opportunities For Your District
Feb 02, 2024

Revamping Water Infrastructure: Chester County Receives Over $2M in Grants for Essential Projects
Jan 25, 2024

$2.2M In State Grants For Sewer Projects In Northern Chesco
Jan 25, 2024

Friel announces more than $2.2M in state grant funding for local infrastructure projects
Jan 19, 2024

300K State Grants Awarded To Chesco For Park And Sewage Upgrades
Jan 19, 2024

Chester County Bags $307,250 in State Grants for Outdoor Space Rehabilitation and Development
Jan 17, 2024

Friel announces more than $300K in state grant funding
Jan 16, 2024

Pa. representative proposes bill to make school standardized tests online
Jan 03, 2024