My team and I are welcoming seniors to our annual Senior Resource Fair! Join us to learn about services and organizations that are available in our region. Free pizza will be provided, and we’ll have flu vaccinations available! Read more
On Labor Day this Monday, we honor American workers for their contributions to our country’s prosperity at home and on a global stage. We also thank the workers who organized to secure safer working conditions, a 40-hour work week, medical benefits and paid sick leave, among many others. Read more
NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Endowment Act – Treatment and Training Who May Apply: Eligibility of these funds is open to any for-profit entity, non-profit entity, an entity affiliated with a CAC or MDIT (e.g., public agency or hospital), or unit of local government. Schools (including colleges and universities) are considered governmental units and are eligible to apply. Use: To support the training of medical and mental healthcare providers who treat children and adult survivors of child sexual abuse. Funds: A total of $200,000 in Endowment Act funding is being announced to support this initiative. PCCD expects to fund approximately four projects with budgets not to exceed $50,000 over the 2-year project period. Application Deadline: October 4, 2024 More information: PCCD Website PROGRAMS OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS: Department of Agriculture: Farm Vitality Planning Grant Who May Apply: Farmers, prospective farmers, and others may apply. Use: Strategic business planning to expand or diversify farms or support transition of ownership. Funds: $500,000 in funding is available. Grants shall not exceed $7,500. Application Deadline: Applications will be received until funds are exhausted. More information: Pennsylvania Bulletin Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Recruitment Incentives for Law Enforcement Who May Apply: Local law enforcement agencies, campus or university police, railroad or street Read more
In this email, I have news about money for intersection improvements, the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program, and more! Read more
NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Redevelopment Authority of Allegheny County: Gaming Economic Development Tourism Fund Who May Apply: Municipalities, authorities, councils of government, non-profits and for-profit businesses in Allegheny County. Use: Economic development projects, infrastructure development projects, job training, community improvement projects, public safety projects, and public interest projects. Funds: Project budgets must be between $150,000 and $500,000. Application Deadline: August 30, 2024 More information: RAAC Website Commission on Crime and Delinquency: 2024-25 Advanced Law Enforcement Training Initiative Who May Apply: Eligibility for these funds is open to non-profit organizations with experience in facilitating and hosting in-person law enforcement trainings in Pennsylvania. Use: To support advanced comprehensive evidence-based training courses for law enforcement. Funds: A total of $80,000 in Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) funds is being announced to support this initiative. PCCD expects to fund one grant with a budget not to exceed $80,000 over the one-year project period. Application Deadline: August 29, 2024 More information: PCCD Website Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Project Safe and Smart 2025 Who May Apply: Community-based organizations that can successfully demonstrate their reach and partnership with K-12 school entities. Preference will be given to applicants that demonstrate that they Read more
HARRISBURG, Aug. 20 – State Rep. Paul Friel announced today that PennDOT has awarded $900,000 in competitive state Multimodal Transportation Funds for an improvement project in his legislative district. The money will go to Phoenixville Borough for improvements to Bridge and Starr streets, including the extension of Starr Street North, to provide an additional exit for Ashland Street, and to improve SEPTA access. “I’m thrilled to announce that we are continuing to invest in infrastructure projects in Chester County,” said Friel, D-Chester. “This funding will address some key safety, traffic flow and public transportation needs in Phoenixville benefiting the whole community. “This infusion of state funding is a wise use of our resources, helping to keep costs down for local taxpayers while improving the quality of life for those who live, work and travel in Phoenixville.” The grant is part of 66 projects funded in 32 counties across Pennsylvania totaling $51 million. The program is intended to provide financial assistance to municipalities, councils of government, businesses, economic development organizations, public transportation agencies, and ports and rail freight entities to improve transportation assets that enhance communities, pedestrian safety, and transit revitalization. Read more
Late Summer Newsletter Read more
NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Commission on Crime and Delinquency: School Safety and Mental Health Grants Who May Apply: Eligible school entities as defined under 24 P.S. §13-1314.1-B of the PA Public School Code. Use: Funding may be used to assist schools with physical safety and/or behavioral health needs. Funds: $100 million is available to be distributed via a formula that stipulates school districts are to receive $100,000 base average and an additional amount based on their 22/23 Adjusted Average Daily Membership. Other eligible school entities are to receive $70,000. Application Deadline: September 26, 2024 More information: PCCD Website Commission on Crime and Delinquency: Targeted School Safety Grants for Nonpublic Schools Who May Apply: Nonpublic schools as defined under Section 924.3-A of the PA Public School Code, municipalities, law enforcement agencies, or approved vendors. Use: Funding may be used to assist schools with physical safety and/or behavioral health needs. Funds: A total of $19,665,000 in state school safety and security funds is being announced to support this initiative. Application Deadline: September 26, 2024 More information: PCCD Website PennDOT: Rail Freight Assistance Program/Rail Transportation Assistance Program Who May Apply: Railroad company, transportation organization, municipality, municipal authority, user Read more
Rep. Dan Williams and I were joined by Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding, state Rep. Dave Zimmerman, and farmers from around the region. Read more
NEWLY LISTED PROGRAMS Commission on Crime and Delinquency: STOP Violence Against Women Statewide Training & Technical Assistance: Law Enforcement Who May Apply: Eligibility for these funds is open to any potential applicant who can produce the training and technical assistance opportunities to meet the goals and objectives of the program. Use: Funds for the proposed project shall be used to implement training and technical assistance to law enforcement officers to align with STOP Implementation Plan goals and objectives, including to enhance the capacity of local communities to develop and strengthen effective law enforcement and prosecution strategies to combat violent crimes against women and to develop and strengthen victim services in cases involving violent crimes against women. Funds: Projects should not exceed a total of $105,000 over a three-year period. Application Deadline: August 23, 2024 More information: PCCD Website Commission on Crime and Delinquency: STOP Violence Against Women Statewide Training & Technical Assistance: Prosecution Who May Apply: Eligibility for these funds is open to any potential applicant who can produce the training and technical assistance opportunities to meet the goals and objectives of the program. Use: Funds for the proposed project shall be used to provide training and technical assistance to Pennsylvania Prosecutors to improve the Read more
HARRISBURG, July 19 – Legislation to allow employer contributions for PA 529 accounts, as well as a plan to reform state law regarding net operating losses, each passed in the state budget deal signed last Thursday in Harrisburg. Originally planned as two bills by state Rep. Paul Friel, H.B. 1745 and H.B. 1483 respectively, the language and effect of his initiatives is now law under budget legislation. The first change would amend the state Tax Code to add the 529 Tuition Account Program Tax Credit, allowing for employer contributions to PA 529 College and Career Savings Program accounts. “We need new, creative solutions to help families afford a college education for their students, and for the commonwealth to invest into our workforce. Looping employers into the tuition savings process will help facilitate both,” Friel said. Meanwhile, the budget included a change to the Net Operating Loss tax deduction proposed by Friel, from 40% to 80%, which aligns with the federal standard to make Pennsylvania-based businesses more competitive. “The goal of the legislation is to ensure that Pennsylvania is an attractive place to start and grow a business, and this change goes a long way to accomplish that,” Friel said. Read more
I’m proud to announce that not only did we pass a comprehensive and bipartisan budget that doesn’t raise taxes for Pennsylvania, two of my legislative initiatives were folded into the budget plan. Read more
I’m inviting all farmers from the 26th Legislative District to a breakfast with Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding at 9 a.m. Wednesday, July 24 at Great Marsh Institute in Elverson. Read more
I hope this email reaches you with your summer in full swing! My constituent service offices will be closed this Thursday and Friday so that my staff can celebrate Independence Day. I wish you and your family a happy Fourth this week, as well! Read more
Summer 2024 Read more
I’m proud to announce that I introduced a bill to update and expand Pennsylvania’s Beginning Farmer Tax Credit Program to attract and keep new farmers. Read more
High-level University of the Arts administrators tried to halt the university’s abrupt June closure, but were stonewalled and frozen out, one said Monday at a state hearing on the sudden shutdown. Read more
“All farming is worth incentivizing, but especially on local family farms, where Pennsylvania traditions and innovations are both passed on,” Friel said. Read more
This week in Harrisburg, I had a chance to testify about a bill I sponsored that seeks to help small businesses start and grow here in the Commonwealth, promoting a climate of investment. Read more
HARRISBURG, June 7 – State Rep. Paul Friel this week introduced a bill ( H.B. 2393 ) that seeks to change the way that Pennsylvania handles food processing residue – addressing the hazards this waste can cause for rural and agricultural communities by updating the process and putting appropriate guardrails in place. Food processing residue, also known as FPR, is the leftover product created by commercial food processing. Food processing residues can include vegetable peelings, raw meat scraps, and liquid-like cleaning wastewater that includes blood, fat, hair and feathers, and a variety of other vegetable and animal byproducts and chemicals used to process them. While FPR can be used to fertilize the soil, it can create numerous problems if care is not taken. For example, some areas of Pennsylvania have seen groundwater contamination. Many other areas find themselves dealing with consistent, noxious odors. Compounding the issue, surrounding states have heavily restricted or banned the use of FPR, making Pennsylvania a target for cheaply offloading the commercial waste. “This bill – a bipartisan legislative solution to the problem – is the result of working with lawmakers from both sides of the aisle, the departments of Agriculture and Environmental Protection, affected community members, farmers, conservation experts and industry stakeholders. The goal is to make sure that FPR is used responsibly, contributing Read more
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