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

 

Pennsylvania Eyes Tax Credit for Employers Contributing to College Savings

(Dec 14, 2023)

The bill, sponsored by Rep. Paul Friel (D-26), proposes a tax credit for employers contributing to their employees’ PA 529 College and Career Savings Program accounts. Read more

 

Lehigh Valley lawmakers want to stop ‘book ban’ arguments. They just disagree on how.

(Dec 11, 2023)

State Rep. Paul Friel, D-Chester, sponsored the House measure because of his experience as a former school board director. Community members would often come to meetings to call for the removal of books that weren’t even in district libraries, he said. Read more

 

Fall '23 Newsletter

(Nov 30, 2023)

Read my Fall 2023 newsletter here. Read more

 

Pennsylvanians address rise in censorship, book bans

(Nov 16, 2023)

“Books are the window that allow our students to see and explore the world. They can teach us, they challenge us, they open our imaginations, but they are also safe places,” said Rep. Friel. “Sometimes, our kids, they’re out there, they’re by themselves. They think they’re alone, but it is in the library where they discover they are not.” Read more

 

Repairs to St. Peter’s Road in Chester County announced

(Oct 27, 2023)

The road carries about 800 vehicles per day, many of them school buses. Photo: Evan Brandt for The Pottstown Mercury Read more

 

Friel, Muth Joined by PennDOT Secretary Carroll to announce St. Peters Road Project

(Oct 27, 2023)

The press conference, held at Saint Peter’s Bakery in Elverson, highlighted the problems with St. Peters Road that have been caused by years of erosion of the steep slope between the roadway and French Creek in Warwick Township (Chester County). Read more

 

Anti-trans policies in Pa. schools don’t just impact LGBTQ kids

(Oct 24, 2023)

On the rare occasions when LGBTQ issues do come up at school, they serve to educate, not influence. Read more

 

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

Pennsylvania Eyes Tax Credit for Employers Contributing to College Savings
Dec 14, 2023

Lehigh Valley lawmakers want to stop ‘book ban’ arguments. They just disagree on how.
Dec 11, 2023

Fall '23 Newsletter
Nov 30, 2023

Pennsylvanians address rise in censorship, book bans
Nov 16, 2023

Repairs to St. Peter’s Road in Chester County announced
Oct 27, 2023

Friel, Muth Joined by PennDOT Secretary Carroll to announce St. Peters Road Project
Oct 27, 2023

Anti-trans policies in Pa. schools don’t just impact LGBTQ kids
Oct 24, 2023